Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I commend Cáit Nic Amhlaoibh, our Regional Group parliamentary assistant, for her help. The Regional Group previously brought forward a motion on these issues in February. We continue to press for the rights of family carers and for carers to be formally and properly recognised for the value, contribution and intrinsic good they offer our State.

Would the Minister of State be shocked if someone accused those in charge of our State of using familial love as a form of coercive control? He might wonder how could somebody think that. He should consider the fact that so many people in our society, when faced with the reality that a loved one or relation or even a friend needs a high degree of care, decide to interrupt whatever they are doing in their lives, work or careers to provide the time and care the individual needs.

Can the Minister of State see that people who look to the State for income support as a result of their caring decision may sometimes feel coerced because the State does not really want to value what they do? It knows that those caring for these family members or friends would probably undertake the care role anyway, simply because such selfless, caring people often cannot consider or trust the care of their loved ones to another, the State or a private institution. We might flinch at the idea of an unfeeling State. We might flinch at the idea of State coercion but what else might describe the Hobson's choice suffered by so many who decide to take on a responsibility that should fall to the State but for which often the State cannot adequately provide? It refuses to acknowledge in monetary value, however, a semblance of the responsibility of which the State itself has been relieved.

Our Regional Group motion is straightforward and equitable. I am sure it will receive the full support of the House, thereby acknowledging the intrinsic value of carers in Irish society. The best and most appropriate way for me to illustrate the importance of the motion is to share a typical family story that highlights the unfairness of means-testing the carers' allowance as it exists today. These are stories I am sure each Member of the House hears regularly. They are the kind of stories we should not have to hear, nor hear repeated into the future.

A gentleman from the south east who is now in his late 20s grew up with a younger sibling who required a lot of care due to mental and physical disabilities. From an early age, it was clear this young girl would never live independently. Their parents devoted their lives to both children, but one parent has since passed away and the other now requires significant care. The brother, who has a partner of his own, now dedicates a large portion of his life to caring for both his sister and his father. He is a college graduate but is yet to put his education to use due to these pressing family responsibilities. Like so many other carers in society, this man is doing his best. The problem for him and many like him is that his partner is also doing her best. She works in the pharmaceutical industry and, as a result, earns a decent wage. This decent wage disqualifies him from accessing the carer's allowance. Her income must, therefore, cover a sizeable mortgage and the rising cost of living we are all too familiar with - costs such as heating, electricity, groceries, and lots more besides - all on this one salary. The State expects this man to be financially supported by his partner while he cares for two vulnerable family members. The State accepts the hard efforts these people make in terms of care giving but refuses to recognise the real value of that care. The position today is that this man is now considering moving back in with this father, away from his partner, just to meet the criteria for carer's allowance and carer's benefit so that he can earn a dignified living on his own. Personnel from the Department of Social Protection are compassionate towards this man's situation and have done everything they can, but their hands are tied in doing anything further.

What is happening to this family is not right, just as what is happening in respect of a multitude of similar stories from so many other families is not right. The predominance of these carers are women. It is time for the State to do better and relieve some of the burden such family caregivers are facing. I urge the House to pass our Regional Group motion to correct this injustice and give carers the respect, support and recognition they deserve in our society.

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