Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and I commend the work of the Vincentian Partnership. We take on board many of its recommendations when compiling budgets. That is why in the most recent budget I was delighted to be able to introduce a broad range of measures to support carers. We increased the means threshold and the capital allowance. A great deal of work has been done in this area in order to improve the situation of carers. However, there is more to be done. Of course, we will take any reports of this nature into consideration when we are looking at our budget considerations in the coming months. I will be meeting with the Vincentian Partnership, along with the many other organisations toi which we provide a lot of support, and asking it to highlight the issues outlined in its report.

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