Séamus Healy (Tipperary, Workers and Unemployed Action Group) | Oireachtas source

I am not sure from what hymn sheet the Taoiseach is singing but his comments are pie in the sky and completely out of touch with reality. If he were to telephone the carer's allowance section of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, he would be told that the current waiting period is 17 weeks. That is worse than was the case six months ago. In June of last year we were told that the waiting period was 15 weeks, which was also unacceptable. However, the situation has worsened. I and many other Deputies are aware of cases in which those being cared for passed away during the application process.

An urgent and comprehensive review of how we deal with the caring situation, including the role of and support for carers, is needed. One thing the Taoiseach could do today would be to fully resource and staff the carer's allowance section of the Department to ensure a reasonable turnaround time of no more than six weeks for applications. Carers are waiting for that to be done. This is a very significant issue which the Taoiseach and the Government should address immediately.

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