Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Will the Ceann Comhairle give me one minute and 12 seconds? One of the challenges every week on this side of the House during Private Members’ time is to get across a coherent point because the time allocated is so short.

Fianna Fáil supports the motion. The income disregards for carers are the exact same as they were in 2010. With incomes rising, the value of carers is going down dramatically. We must have particular regard for those with young children who require high levels of care who gave up their employment to care full time in the home and are dependent on one salary. That issue has to be examined, particularly in the case of those with high mortgage repayments.

Will the Minister of State change the means test to bring it into line with the changes in the cost of living since 2010? Will he take into account a reasonable amount for mortgage expenses as a deductible cost? The group of young carers of working age are being penalised.

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