Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment Deputy Harkin and the Independent Group on this excellent motion. Year after year, the subject of carers comes up. Family Carers Ireland is mentioned. Indeed, Councillor Richie Molloy is the manager in south Tipperary. All the groups are mentioned and we give them lip service, promises and praise but they get no fundamental respect budget after budget. They got small bits and pieces but carers from the oldest to the youngest need to be recognised for the work they do. Statistics have proven that there are so many children doing family caring. Children should be out ag súgradh agus ag dul ar scoil and not expected to care for loved ones. It is time we had a proper recognition of what family carers do. We need to get rid of the grinches out of the system who would deny assistance to people with 6 acres of land, such as those mentioned by Deputy O'Donoghue, as if they are going to make a fortune on it. They are watching every minute to pull back supports. We need to support the people in their homes because keeping them out of the hospital means they are happier and they thrive and recover. I salute the carers but saluting them is not enough. We need to support them.

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