Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour) | Oireachtas source

What if the 300,000 carers across the country downed tools in the morning? We have problems in accident and emergency departments and in the provision of acute hospital beds. If every one of them brought their loved ones into the hospital environment and abandoned their work in the morning, the country would collapse.

In that context, could the Minister of State raise the following matter at Cabinet level? We should abolish the means test for carer's allowance and increase the 15 hours' employment that they are allowed to work outside the home to 18.5 hours. I know that if that was increased to 19 hours, there would be issues with working family payments. The carers want 18.5 hours. That would be a sensible way to provide additional care within the home environment. It is naked exploitation. Some family members of my own did it but they are all willing to do extra.

The figures are €219 carer's allowance versus the €1,200 Deputy Shortall mentioned as the weekly cost of a nursing home versus €824 which is the average fair deal. Excluding the 80% income and the proportion of the assets, €824 is the precise average fair deal across the country. Let us abolish the means and, for 25% of the cost, more people can be kept within their home environment, where they want to be and where they are happiest.

There is an opportunity for the Minister of State in the forthcoming budget to make a name for himself. He should abolish that means test because that is what the 355,000 carers want. There will be fewer problems. There will be additional home help and the Government will save multiple millions.

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