Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This is one of the main areas people believe should be protected. The Minister has made the point that this grant was approximately €700 or €900 in 2004 and suggested she is not really eating into it. This measure will have huge repercussions for every single person who is caring for someone and also for the person who needs such care. The Government should reverse this cut because it did not form part of the remit it was given when it was elected to office. It is not good enough. The amount involved is just €26.15 million. Our next amendment outlines how this and all other cuts can be reversed by taxing wealth and incomes of more than €100,000. Deputies have an opportunity to act in line with the words they spoke when they made their promises a number of months ago.

Those who look after people who need to be supported every day, week and month of the year are the unsung heroes of our society. There is a great deal of anger and the protest was smaller today. People are saying if the Government implements this cut, they will bring those for whom they are caring into accident and emergency departments and leave them there in order that the State will have to look after them. They do not believe they are being given enough support to care for those who need care. They have also said word is getting out, in the context of The Gathering next year, that one should not come to Ireland if one needs care, etc. I ask the Minister to delete this section of the Bill and support the people in question. She should not claim that the sum of €325 is insignificant in the context of all other benefits and supports they receive.

They need this money. The cost of living has gone up, in particular for electricity, gas and bus fares. Many would have travel passes but the fact is people are finding it more difficult to live and they need that protection and support. We are not asking for increases at the moment. We are asking the Minister please to not cut the respite care grant.

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