Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I tabled a similar amendment last year. When we discussed this on Committee Stage, the Minister explained the concern he was addressing, which seemed quite a reasonable concern, that for one child numerous people could claim to be a carer and potentially claim quite a lot for the one child because so many people were involved. When we discussed this last year, the Minister said he was inclined to take a look at it. As it stands, if the single amount cannot be transferred, it is clearly less useful to people on lower incomes than those on higher incomes who can use it. It seems, therefore, like a very sensible amendment. It was a sensible amendment last year and I support Deputy Michael McGrath in proposing it this year.

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