Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Family Carers Ireland acknowledges budget 2025 brings some welcome measures to alleviate the pressure carers feel every day, such as increasing the respite grant to €2,000 per annum and increasing the disregard to €1,250, which allows more carers to get it. The Minister knows well and I am not saying she does not know, but why did she not do what she said she would do or what carers want?

Carers are the unsung heroes of our society yet budget 2025 leaves them in the shadows. One in eight people in Ireland provides unpaid care, saving the State billions, but where is their support? Waiting until July 2025 is a slap in the face for them. The increases are given, but they have to wait for ten months after the budget. Will the Minister show the compassion she needs to show? Carers welcome it but why do they have to wait until next July to get it?

It is time to fully abolish the carer's allowance means test, and we all know that. That is what they expected. I welcome the carers here today and complement all family carers and especially our councillor, Richie Molloy, in South Tipperary, who is manager of south Tipperary carers, on the work he and his organisation do.

Carers make an enormous contribution. Over 500,000 individuals are family carers, meaning one in eight people provides regular unpaid care. Family carers are the backbone of care provision, yet they often feel they are not getting recognition. They are definitely not getting it. Caring intensively over long periods without support or recognition negatively affects carers' physical and mental health, financial status and social integration. Many carers, especially those caring for children with additional needs, face long-term implications for their health, well-being and financial security. Many children who should be in school, amach faoin spéir or playing matches are caring for loved ones. That is a crying shame.

Carers are predominantly women, with those in their 50s most likely to be providing care. Some 57% of carers, as per census 2022, juggle work with caring responsibilities. That is not easy, as the Minister knows. The number of carers increased by over 50% between 2016 and 2022 and is expected to continue rising due to an ageing population and more people with life-limiting conditions.

The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who is sitting beside the Minister, closed a lovely hospital in Carrick-on-Suir. Respite beds are not available. The Minister of State can whisper what she likes but she took away the respite and palliative care beds provided by the community.

Deputy Murphy spoke of the economic value of carers. Family Carers Ireland, a national charity, estimates €10 billion per year is the value of what carers do. That is an enormous sum.

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