Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I very much welcome the debate here this afternoon and the opportunity to contribute to it. Carers, be they women or men, play an absolutely crucial role in Irish society, yet too often their work goes unrecognised. Whether it is a lone parent, someone caring for an elderly relative or a relative with a disability, or someone raising young children, people from all kinds of families and all walks of life the length and breadth of Ireland do invaluable work to support loved ones. Too often, carers feel abandoned and ignored by the State. They feel that instead of receiving the support they need, they are met with a cold shoulder from a state that fails to recognise and appreciate the long hours and the work that they do. It is not before time that the role of carers is recognised, respected and championed.

I commend the many groups who have advocated for carers' rights to be strengthened, constitutionally recognised and enhanced. I refer to Family Carers Ireland, the young carers group within Family Carers Ireland, Disabled Women Ireland, the Disability Federation of Ireland, Independent Living Movement, Early Childhood Ireland, SIPTU's Big Start campaign, Treoir, Care Alliance Ireland, the We Care Collective and many more who not only engaged with the citizens' assembly and the Oireachtas committee but who have continued to be so active for decades on this important issue in communities across the country.

I want carers watching this debate to know that we see them, we hear them and we have their back. Sinn Féin will stand up for carers to ensure their voices are heard. Crucially, these voices must be listened to and acted on to ensure genuine and meaningful change is delivered to improve carers' lives in tangible ways.

I welcome that a referendum will be held on reforming the Constitution to reflect the modern society we live in. I was a member of the special purpose Oireachtas Joint Committee on Gender Equality. What struck me from the initial meeting of the committee was the depth of groups and organisations that actively sought out the committee to engage with it and to discuss the ideas of the many experts, stakeholders and groups. I thank them for their time in joining our sessions and for sharing their experiences and expertise.

I believe that any steps to improve carers' rights are to be welcomed, and it is equally crucial to recognise the role of care in the community. I am concerned, however, by the length of time it has taken for successive governments to stop dragging their feet on this and to finally act on their long-overdue promises.

I am also concerned that the proposals we are considering risk falling short of delivering meaningful change. Carers do not need flowery language and nice words from the Government if it does not amount to one single, solid change in their lives. Carers need action, not symbolism. They need rights, not gimmicks.

One only needs to look at the recent family carers report from last week to see the Government's abysmal record on delivering on its own promises for family carers, as per the programme for Government.

I believe we need to deliver on the issues carers have demanded action on, such as the financial and psychological supports to ensure no one in a caring role continues to feel isolated or on their own. We must see action that truly values the work they do. What has been proposed does not seem on the face of it to cause harm to carers, but one could rightly ask what added value does the amendment bring to the lives of carers.

I commend the diligent and thoughtful work of the citizens' assembly. What recommendations did it make for the wording, and why are they not reflected here? Likewise, why was the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Gender Equality's proposed wording not included? Given that other opportunities were presented to the Government, why has it chosen such a narrow definition that excludes so many of the people on behalf of whom the groups I mentioned previously work tirelessly?

Sinn Féin is committed to standing up for carers and ensuring their voices are heard. All families should be treated with dignity and respect. Our Constitution must be modernised to reflect the diversity of modern Irish life. We will work constructively with the Government and stakeholders to ensure that the changes needed are delivered upon because ultimately what is important here are the carers. For far too long, carers have been ignored by society and it is high time that this finally changes.

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