Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Family carers are the backbone of care provision in Ireland. That has long been recognised in sentiment and it is now time it was recognised in substance. They play one of the most important roles in our society. They care for their loved ones, their families and friends, out of a sense of love, duty and responsibility. They are not looking for any applause. However, being a carer in this State is extremely challenging. Being a carer and having to fight and struggle for every bit of support takes a huge toll on a carer. It takes a toll on a carer's physical and mental health. There can be challenges for carers with the loss of income caused by the inability to work outside the home for more than 18.5 hours because of caring duties. Some of those ironically would work as carers outside the home had they more scope to do so. There is the potential for a life of financial hardship, social isolation, strain on relationships and the constant stress and worry of always having to fight due to the insufficient provision of services and supports to which a person being cared for is entitled. In spite of this, carers frequently tell me that they find caring for a loved one to be extremely rewarding. This is a testament to their character, their sense of responsibility to their loved ones and their sheer selflessness. Nobody is a carer because it is easy. Nobody is a carer because it is comfortable. Nobody is a carer for the sake of a quiet life. However, we would be foolish to take them for granted. Many of these people would do it for nothing, but according to research by Family Carers Ireland their contribution is estimated to save the State approximately €20 billion per annum. That research also found that family carers are lonelier, more isolated and in poorer health than the average person in Ireland. They have to be supported but we instead see the opposite from Government. We see carers voices, in many instances, being ignored.

Three in four family carers surveyed said the people they support do not receive sufficient formal support and 72% have never received respite. That is three in every four carers who never get a break. I have met people on the canvass recently who have been waiting years for respite, and it is brutal. Half of carers are prepared to pay privately for products and services that should have been publicly provided to support the caring role. Some 69% find it difficult to make ends meet, with 29% of those struggling financially and cutting back on essentials such as food and heat. Some 34% said their accommodation was not suitable to meet the needs of the person they care for, 23% missed a mortgage or rent payment over the past year and 17% of mortgage holders. This is shocking. This is how our Government treats our carers. Carers deserve better. Their voices must be heard. We would do well to look at other societies. We are fortunate in Ireland that we have so many family carers. In other countries where this process is more advanced, and where family carers were perhaps taken for granted in the past, the social care crisis is severe. People are crying out for support but the Government is not listening. We urge it to support Sinn Féin's plan to deliver a respite guarantee and increase payments for carers to ensure they are adequately supported. Carers must be respected and listened to. It is clear from the findings of the report by Family Carers Ireland that they do not feel supported.

In this motion we are calling for a commitment from Government for a minimum respite guarantee and a significant relaxation of the carer's allowance means test. I echo the point made by Deputy Tully relating to the sharing of that information. That is a matter the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, said she is reviewing. It is an issue of public debate. If there is information on the costing that the Department has then it should be shared, because it is important we have full light on that. The current rules around carer's allowance are too rigid. Many carers are not eligible for the payment due to means-testing. The maximum limit of 18.5 hours is also a problem. That is an enormous worry for carers. They are restricted in increasing their household incomes in any way. That is why 69% of carers find it difficult to make ends meet and one third of those are struggling financially and cutting back on essentials. It is not good enough that many carers are receiving payments that fall well below an established minimum essential standard of living. The income inadequacy imposed by existing social welfare payments must be addressed. We called for the rate of carer's allowance and benefit to be increased by €15 in budget 2024, and to incrementally bring social welfare rates in line with the MESL. I urge the Government to support Sinn Féin's motion and ensure that carers are respected. At the moment carers have no capacity to increase their income and are faced with a growing cost-of-living crisis and an isolation and loneliness crisis. I urge the Government to support the motion and that carers are fully supported in caring for their loved ones.

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