Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Family carers play a crucial and irreplaceable role in homes across our country. Without them there would be a catastrophic crisis in care for people of all ages. Family carers are ordinary men and women who are motivated by love. This love drives them to put a family member's needs before their own. They sacrifice their own plans and desires because a family member needs their care. This enables their loved one to be cared for while continuing to live in the home. When it comes to rewarding them for their vital role, however, family carers are subjected to means-testing. Their vital work is completely disregarded. The fact that they save the State substantial money on institutional care is conveniently ignored. This is wrong, unfair and unjust. Means-testing for carers must be abolished. Our Regional Group will bring forward a Private Members' Bill next week. I ask that the Government support the Bill and make arrangements to drop the necessity for means-testing and prove to family carers that their work is valued.

See this speech in context