Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy John Halligan for bringing forward this excellent motion and my colleagues for sharing speaking time. The motion is deserving of support.

Like other politicians, I deal each day with people who are providing excellent care for people in their homes. Nobody should underestimate the value of this work. I was grateful in recent weeks to attend a briefing session in Tralee by carers who are providing care for people in their homes. On that day I heard at first hand, as I have outside this House, at my clinics and at constituency meetings, the cases of people who are going through a great deal to provide care. They are not looking for anything special for doing that. They are doing this work and wish to take care of people in their homes. However, they want basic recognition for that and to be treated properly by the State. They do not wish to be treated the way they are at present.

Members on the other side of the House should know that people who are providing care for people in their homes are being paid for probably only half of their work. If they are taking care of somebody who is in a wheelchair and have only 40 minutes to do so, they will not be able to deal with the person's personal needs in that amount of time. If they stay for an hour or an hour and 20 minutes, they will not say anything about it, just do the work and only get paid for half of it. They are working for nothing for at least half of their time.

I cannot understand how Members on the other side of the House will vote against this motion. The motion tabled by Deputy Halligan states: "That Dáil Éireann recognises ... the vital contribution carers make to the economic and social life of the nation, and further acknowledges this by providing them with adequate income supports". How in the name of God could anybody vote against that at any time? It is inhuman to do so. If Members intend to vote against it, they should explain that vote to their constituencies and explain how they think it is right to vote against this excellent motion.

I thank the Technical Group for sharing time with me.

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