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

As I do frequently in the House I want to use this opportunity to raise the need to abolish the means test for carers. I also acknowledge frequently that the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, is the first Minister in so many years to make progressive changes to the means test for carers. On the most recent occasion I raised this with the Minister there was a discussion around the massive disparity between the figures the Minister's officials and her Department had provided to her and the figures that were costed by Family Carers Ireland. The Minister said then that she would look at that. I did not get to see the Minister's opening statements and maybe she did allude to it. I am aware there are also statements later tonight so maybe between those two opportunities the Minister might be able to come back to see if any progress is being made there.

As I have done for the past two years I will also take this opportunity to advocate for the extension of the fuel allowance to those in receipt of the working family payment. Barnardos figures show that 30% of lone parents say they or their children went without, or cut back on food, compared to 17% of two-parent families. If such families are renting a damp property they would also then suffer further expenses due to the ill health they and their children experience. I know myself from renting substandard accommodation with lots of mould and dampness that it is a massive concern on a daily basis for everybody's health in the household.

I will also take the opportunity to raise the issue of those in County Clare living in properties affected by defective concrete blocks. People who are living in such social housing are still anxiously waiting for a scheme to open for them. There are those who are suffering retention issues and other delays with their remediation.

They are still suffering with massive gaps and with the cold getting in. I ask that the Minister of State work with the Minister for housing to look to possibly extend the fuel allowance to those individuals and various types of households to ensure they do not become too cold this winter.

See this speech in context