Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Those were the carers’ words. I fully understand why they believe the Minister is speaking out of both sides of her mouth. It is a means test. It is on the means of someone else’s income, rather than that of the carer who is actually delivering the care. This is means-testing the income of the household. It may be means in which the carer does not even share. We are talking out of both sides of our mouths every day of the week when we talk about vulnerable women and 95% of our care is delivered by women. Yet the Minister has them in a position where if their partner or someone else in the household is over the threshold for the means test, they must beg for the money to go for a cup of coffee should the opportunity arise. Does the Minister understand why they feel so vulnerable and disregarded? Family Carers Ireland has told the Minister that, according to research by Maynooth University, those who provide care to the most vulnerable in this country save the State €20 billion per annum.

Yet the Minister continues with a means test that would give them, if they were caring for one child, €248 per week, less than €12,000 per year, to save the State €20 billion. Is it any wonder their mental health is suffering from the kind of disregard this Government shows them? It is no thanks-----

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