Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire and Pauline Tully for bringing forward this motion. Carers are fed up with the Government paying lip service to what they do and with how valuable they are portrayed in society. The facts are that many carers find themselves having to give up their jobs, take a substantial hit in their household finances and often having to take on a round-the-clock, dedicated carer's role.

Just think for one minute what doing away with the means test would mean to these families. Immediately, it would increase household income and add to the betterment and improvement of conditions for the persons they love and care for. Immediately, it would give a real and tangible lift to carers who deserve far more than the punitive means-test system that leaves them worse off at a time when they need the most help.

It is simple. All the Minister of State has to do is go out and ask carers about the difficulties they face on a daily basis. Each household faces different hardships and modes of care. Carers deal with all sorts of disabilities. The Government had an opportunity to do away with the means test in its auction budget for 2025, yet it has not committed to do so. Meanwhile, once again, carers are put on the lower shelf and must wait until January for an increase in the threshold.

In this motion, we are also asking that the Government put in place a pay-related carer's benefit scheme. This is important as in many cases, family members or individuals become carers overnight due to sudden accidents, diagnoses or strokes, which have an immediate and life-changing effect on their personal and family households.

The means test for the carer's allowance should be abolished. Sinn Féin is fully committed to abolishing it over the course of a term in government. The Government allocated €11 million to relax the means test for carers next year. Sinn Féin, in its alternative budget, allocated €100 million. That is the difference a Sinn Féin Government would make. Carers incomes fall far short of the established minimum standard of living income, despite saving the Government millions in health bills. We ask all TDs to support this motion and support our carers.

See this speech in context