Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I come back to the issue of the Family Carers Ireland survey. It was a very important survey of respite care in Ireland. The survey shows this is arbitrary and inconsistent in respect of when families need this respite care. It is so important that all parties get respite care. Mention is also made of the means testing of carers. Again, I think this is quite arbitrary and needs major reform. In terms of respite care, this needs to be less arbitrary and more statutory. Everybody in this situation deserves respite care. I know the Taoiseach has spoken of the income disregard in respect of the carer's allowance. This is a good thing, but again this can be arbitrary in terms of those who deserve carer's allowance when they are caring for their children.

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