Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Members for bringing forward this motion. We all know that there is absolutely no doubt that there is a need for reform in the carer's allowance scheme. I, like many others, have met many carers in the work that we do, in our canvassing and in chatting with people. The work they do is absolutely immeasurable. If we were to count that support and their care in just monetary terms, we would be unable to do so.

The following is just one of many examples of the unfairness of the current system. This person was caring for her elderly mother. She did all of the work caring for her mother in her final years. She gave up her well-paid job to take on the role of a carer where the State would otherwise have had to fill in the gaps. Her mother was on the other side the city so there was the travel costs, petrol, etc., and finding the time to get there and back home to her own family. She was assessed, was €10 over the threshold and got nothing. She was not looking for praise or for a salary but was looking for help, support and fairness.

There are many other cases like this all over the Dublin West constituency and throughout the State and they need support and deserve recognition. Sinn Féin has committed to a pay-related carer's benefit payment which will prevent carers who have to give up work to care for someone from seeing their income fall off a cliff edge. The maximum payment would be €450 with a tapering down of the payments every six months.

Many people find themselves in a situation where they have to finish work because of the need to care for someone and people are down a lot of income as a result. We believe that it is important that there is a pay-related carer's benefit scheme similar to the jobseeker's pay-related scheme. It is not good enough that many carers are receiving payments that fall way below the established minimum essential standard of living. Their income inadequacy imposed by the existing social welfare payments must be addressed.

Carers do absolutely amazing work. We know that both personally and as TDs in our constituencies. It is time that this area was reformed to acknowledge that care and work. Gabhaim buíochas.

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