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

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I can be accused of many things but speaking out of both sides of my mouth is not normally what I do. I have been engaging with carers since I became Minister for Social Protection in 2020. I must say again that family carers play a hugely important role and I have been committed to supporting them in that role. I have worked hard in recent years in enhancing the supports we have provided to them. I am well aware of the stories to which the Deputy refers. I meet carers regularly; I meet the carers' groups and the carers themselves. In each and every budget since I became Minister for Social Protection, the proposals I have delivered have come directly from talking to them and engaging with the carers and the carers' groups. Every Deputy in this House meets carers on a regular basis and I am no different. We all know well the vital work that they carry out. During my time as Minister for Social Protection I have stood up for our family carers in recognition of the incredible and often unseen work they do in our society. In this budget I am increasing the annual carer's support grant to €2,000. That is now at its highest level ever. I am extending the carer's benefit to self-employed workers. That is new and has not happened before. Self-employed people who have to give up work to look after somebody will be able to get the carer's benefit. I am making carer's allowance a qualifying payment for fuel allowance. That is another request from the groups.

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