Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I recognise and value the work of our carers. I mean that. We all know carers who are doing wonderful work. My Department will spend more than €1.7 billion this year on our support payments to carers. If you look at my record, improving supports for our carers has been a key priority for me as Minister for Social Protection.

I might also say that I was delighted to introduce the new scheme to provide pension contributions to long-term carers from the start of January. There has been a strong interest in it. As I outlined, there is a large number of carers, mainly women, who will qualify for a pension because of the changes we have made. That is to be welcomed and I think it was the right thing to do. I know that number will grow further and further into the future. We have that scheme in place. I acknowledge the support I have received from Family Carers Ireland to make these changes. I have engaged with it regularly and I do listen to it.

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