Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on today's motion. I am sure many of the 500,000 carers in this State are watching this debate, hoping that they finally get the recognition they deserve. They are sick and tired of meaningless words, along with pats on the back. They are doing the work of the State and are in dire need of a break. As some Members have already said, they have been largely ignored but their value to this State is unquestionable. Carers' goodwill, however, is used against them and they have been taken for granted.

Today's motion seeks to change that to give them the recognition and the supports they deserve. I have spoken to many carers in recent months. All of them told me how much the lack of respite and general supports have put a strain on them. They told me about the feeling of isolation they felt in recent months. They also told me how they have to be more cautious about their every move because of the complex condition of some of the people for whom they care. I had one case where a mother reached out to me. She has three children with exceptional care needs but has absolutely no supports. She is at her wits' end. I have had carers contact me who applied for the carer's payment but who have been waiting months. The list goes on and on.

It is estimated that family carers save the State approximately €20 billion a year. They deserve to see the good they do reflected by the State. The implementation of Sinn Féin's carer's charter would cost a fraction of that with carers and those they care for benefiting as a result. We need to do right by carers. This motion is an opportunity to do that. I especially hope it has the support of those Government Deputies who have spoken out on behalf of carers recently. We hope their words are not meaningless too.

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