Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge this important motion and the contribution that family carers make throughout the State in caring for their loved ones. Recently, I attended a Family Carers Ireland roadshow, which set out the incredible work of carers, day by day, week by week. When one considers the changing demographics we face, ones sees that as a Government, we have to set out a roadmap of how we are going to respond to these challenges.

I acknowledge the huge work done by Deputy Penrose throughout his career in advocating for carers. As someone who shares a constituency with the Deputy, I have seen him push for carers and bring major policy decisions to the table during difficult times in this State. He spelled out clearly the important correlation between taxation and improved services. It is not often we hear such honesty in the Chamber from someone speaking to a motion.

Small changes can make a huge difference, be it credit for the State contributory pension, which currently is not in place, or increasing the exemption to work to 18.5 hours.

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These are not costly things but can make a significant difference to people, their lives and the care they deliver.

On a broader point, the postcode lottery has been pointed to for a long time by the association. As someone who is on the ground assisting potential applicants for a carer's allowance through oral appeals and a process that can be stressful when someone has a sick relative or friend to deal with, I believe we need to support them as best we can and set out that plan.

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