John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I hear the Minister's reply relating to the Citizens' Assembly but given the resources of the Department, I feel the Minister should be the one to conduct the analytical review that is required. There is an anomaly because the cost of living in Dublin, particularly around housing, for people who are renting or have a mortgage, and childcare is significantly higher. I meet constituents on a regular basis who do not qualify for carer's allowance, even though their circumstances are quite difficult and challenging. The husband may have a substantial income, but the mortgage they have was based on two people working and now they are on a single income and will not be able to continue the caring they do when the benefit runs out. I suggest that, without waiting for the Citizens' Assembly, the Department and the Minister conduct a review into widening the means test to take some account of the cost of living in Dublin.

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