Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My constituents in Clare should not be paying the fourth highest rate of local authority rent in the country just because the local authority has decided not to disregard their full- or half-rate carer's allowance. The current system means that because of geography, identical household types are paying considerably different rates irrespective of the quality or size of their accommodation. Such inequality needs to be addressed, as the Government has recognised in relation to the scoping exercise and the commitment to a further review.

I recently met Vicky and Fiona from Family Carers Ireland. As the Minister of State knows, that organisation made a detailed submission to the scoping exercise, highlighting some of the serious inequality faced by family carers as a result of the current differential scheme. The current scheme has created a significant disparity in inequality when it comes to carers. Given the focus on the importance of care in this week's Dáil business, and the timely announcement of a referendum, it seems like a good time to raise the issue. According to the 2022 census, there are 8,245 family carers in my constituency of Clare. Any carers who live in Clare and receive a full or half-rate carer's allowance are immediately at a disadvantage.

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