Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Who is going to care for the carers? It is not this Government it seems. The strain on carers and families is horrendous at the best of times. During this pandemic, however, it has been unbearable. We need to invest in carers. Doing so would be a win-win for both families and the State. It would take pressure off hospitals, nursing homes and GP services. Investing in respite should not be seen as a cost because it is not. The savings would be immeasurable. The State would save on many levels. Financially, there would be a saving for the health system, a saving much greater than what is spent on carers. We need to give more to make their lives bearable because they currently are not.

Last week, we heard about the State putting together secret dossiers on families of children with autism to use against them. That is what the State thinks of families who are already struggling and caring for loved ones. I have spoken with carers from Ringsend to Rathmines, from Kevin Street to Kimmage. They are all saying that they are hanging on by their fingertips.

This Sinn Féin motion will prioritise carers in the vaccine roll-out. Carers are caring for highly vulnerable people but, as they are not considered as a group, they fall through the net. It is possible that some carers, despite the huge strain they are under, could be among the last to be vaccinated on an individual basis. Each day carers are not vaccinated is another day they play Russian roulette with loved ones. The stress and anxiety this leads to is having a hugely negative impact on carers and their mental health.

Carers are vital but they are not valued. This motion makes provision to support carers financially, improve the level of respite available and ensure that the compilation of secret dossiers on families challenging the State will end. Day services would also be resumed. Carers do not need any sympathy or rounds of applause. They need action and support. Our motion would deliver the change carers deserve and give them the support they desperately need. Let us not just recognise carers as being vital, let us value them. Let us give carers a break.

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