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

I thank the Regional Group for bringing forward this motion. I acknowledge the fantastic efforts of Vicky and Fiona from Family Carers Ireland Mid-West, who took part in the Hell and Back fundraiser and raised €2,000.

I raised this matter with the Minister yesterday evening and want to respond to comments on the abolition of the means test and abuse. Family Carers Ireland believes that the requirements to satisfy strict medical eligibility criteria and that applicants provide full-time care are sufficient to protect the carer’s allowance scheme from the potential abuse the Minister referred to last night. It will not open up the scheme to all carers but, rather, only to full-time carers. Some 5,500 carers nationally were left without last year and that meant 319 people in County Clare who were in receipt of the carer’s support grant.

Far too many women in this country have given up work or delayed their return to work but because their partner works, no matter who they are, they are excluded and, as a result, isolated financially as well.

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