Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Every Deputy in this House recognises the huge contribution carers make to our society. They care for the most vulnerable in our society, and our society will ultimately be judged on how we care for the most vulnerable. Every Deputy in this House also recognises that apart from the social and humanitarian aspect of their work, carers contribute a great deal to the economy. The money spent on the carer's allowance and respite grants, and many other supports, provides huge savings to the Exchequer, compared to the real costs of hospitals and nursing home care.

Unfortunately, we live in very difficult financial times since the current crisis began, a crisis that bankrupted the State. Fianna Fáil originally cut carer's allowance from €220 per week to €204 per week, a cut of €850 per year per carer. This Government recognises the economic situation necessitated some cutbacks in every Department. The Government made a conscious decision that maintaining weekly rates at a guaranteed level was the most effective way to ensure all carers were fairly treated. We concentrated on maintaining the weekly allowance of €204 per week, which had previously been cut to that level by Fianna Fáil.

There was a substantial cut in the respite grant and I appreciate this will have a significant effect on some carers and their patients. I have no hesitation in saying there are people in our society who could badly do with a substantial increase in respite and carer's allowance. I am equally convinced there are certain people receiving respite grants who could manage well without them. Next year we must look at ways of dealing with this issue. Means testing is an obvious route but even in carers' payments, the payments should be increased or reduced depending not only on the means of the carers or their patients but also on the amount of care required by each person requiring care. The Exchequer money available could and should be better targeted, with much more help for those vulnerable people in dire circumstances and less for those with less serious conditions. Getting the resources available to the most vulnerable and maintaining the core payment was the best way to use resources this year.

Of course, any reduction is regrettable. Sinn Féin, which held the social welfare portfolio in Northern Ireland should know that administration only pays carers £58 per week, the equivalent of €72, compared to €204 per week in this jurisdiction, or €239 for carers over 66. In addition, carers in this State who are caring for two people will get €358.50 per week.

It amazes me Fianna Fáil has the audacity to speak on this motion. It was Fianna Fáil that reduced the carer's allowance from €220 per week to €204 per week, an annual loss of €850 per year per carer. Expenditure on carers has increased significantly in the past ten years. The estimated expenditure on carers in 2012 is over €771 million. There are more than 51,000 people receiving the carer's allowance and 22,000 of them getting a half rate allowance in addition to another social welfare payment at an annual cost of €90 million. As a result, expenditure on the carer's allowance scheme has increased in the past ten years by 220%.

This is not about political point scoring. Most people in this House regret any reductions that affect the vulnerable. As a Government, we must strive in coming years to ensure that whatever money is available is fairly targeted and spent properly. Some reassessments of claims must be carried out. This will inevitably lead to further reductions for some but will also allow the Minister to greatly increase allowances for those carers and patients in the most serious medical and financial need. We have a duty in government to use our scarce resources more efficiently and effectively to ensure substantial care for the most vulnerable in our society.

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