Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Regional Group for bringing the motion forward at this timely junction before the budget. Every single Deputy either knows someone who is a carer or perhaps has a family member who is a carer.

We have all come across cases of people who are just beyond the threshold to receive the carer's allowance. For example, John lives with his wife in County Wexford. His wife has Alzheimer's and needs 24-7 care. His household income is just €10 above the threshold. John is literally housebound. He gets one hour respite once a week provided by the Family Carers Ireland. During these 60 minutes he does his weekly shopping and banking affairs. That is his only outlet for the entire week.

Another case involves a mother who has three adult sons with Fragile X syndrome. She gets no respite whatsoever and receives disability allowance for the first son, half for the second son and absolutely nothing for the third son.

This highlights the in-built bureaucratic failures and the need for comprehensive review of the entire care system. Some 72% of carers do not receive any respite and there are no respite places in Wexford. Carers are not valued enough in our current system. The facts are right before our eyes. Households with people with disabilities who need care are far more expensive to run and maintain, between medication, special food, special equipment, heating and transport, not to mention the endless hours of care. This must be reflected in the upcoming budget. Many carers are receiving payments below the established minimum essential standard of living.

This is a country that boasts being in the top ten of the richest countries in Europe yet something is not adding up here. It is time to look after the carers who look after the sick, the elderly and the people with disabilities. Just imagine if all of the carers in this country stopped doing what they are doing? The country would be in chaos in five minutes. The threshold must be increased with the carer's support grant increased by €2,000. Pay-related benefit payments must be a minimum of €450. We are also calling for a €500 disability and carer's lump sum as part of our budget 2025. We believe there is need for carers to be recognised as a valuable part of our communities, to be provided with all of the financial needs necessary to carry out their valuable work, to reward them for the personal sacrifice to the people they love and mind, and for the special contribution they give to the State. Gabhaim buíochas.

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