Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support the motion and welcome the opportunity to speak of the legendary work that carers do for the most vulnerable people, day in, day out. Carers save the State an estimated €20 billion per year and that is the equivalent of a second HSE. Carers are predominantly female and, for the most part, are alone and isolated. They are not respected for the work they do or the moneys they save the State every single year and they do not get recognition for the important roles they play, which, by the way, has a knock-on effect in respect of their role as advocates.

In order for those wrongs to be righted, we need the abolition of the means test for carer’s allowance, and that is for a start. We need equity for carers. This is especially the case as we know that the number of those providing unpaid care is increasing year-on-year. Census 2022 pointed to 15% of all unpaid carers being over 65. I have been raising the need to abolish the means test for carer’s allowance. I know the Minister aims to report back in quarter 3 of this year but carers need action now. From the Family Carers Ireland report, for which I thank it, we know 69% are experiencing financial distress and 29% of those struggling financially are cutting back on essentials, such as food and heat. It is a bleak picture. We also know that 48% are experiencing loneliness.

I know of female constituents who want to avail of the incremental tenant purchase scheme, for example, but because they are in receipt of the carer’s allowance, that income is not deemed eligible for the application. Those ladies are trying to provide a bit of security for their families but, again, they feel their work is under-recognised and not appreciated. A number of cases that come through my office relate to carer's allowance and DCA applications, which parents say take far too long and are too arduous on their mental health.

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