Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues, Deputies Tully and Patricia Ryan, for their dedicated advocacy on behalf of carers and the elderly and for tabling this motion. It is universally accepted that people with disabilities and their carers are more financially vulnerable than any other section of society. In fact, the Joint Committee on Gender Equality recommended bringing social protection rates for carers in line with the minimum essential standard of living, MESL. It is critical that the Government understands, and what is more reflects this, in the upcoming budget. Two out of every three carers experience financial distress:16% are in arrears with their utility bills and 23% are in trouble with their rent or mortgage repayments, yet the Government fails to recognise their many challenges and the personal sacrifices these carers selflessly make every day, often without proper public services such as transport and respite.

This is also taking into account the rapid rise of the cost of living, including medicines and medical supplies. What is not considered is that if these carers were to stop doing what they are doing this minute, it would cost the State more than €20 billion per year to replace them, yet the income disregard for the carer's allowance has increased just once, by 14%, in 15 years. We are calling directly for the carer's allowance to be increased, the means test to be immediately reviewed and an increase in the income threshold.

The system is more than 33 years old and requires a significant sea change is required to the current, archaic system. The Joint Committee on Gender Equality recommended that a participation income be established for carers. Perhaps the Minister of State will commit to doing this during her closing remarks.

The Government ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018. However, six years later it has failed to do anything, as was promised and committed to in the programme for Government. The question remains: when will this be done?

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