Natasha Newsome Drennan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I strongly welcome this motion. Earlier today in the audiovisual room, a group of young family carers gave a powerful description of the work they do and the impact the lack of supports - and the utter lack of State support - is having. Carers are the backbone of our society. They are the quiet, everyday heroes who give everything to care for loved ones. The respect and high regard that carers are held in by the public was crystal clear to see in the run-up to the general election. While every party and group pledged to support carers and scrap the means test, sadly, as is the way with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, that commitment appears to be just another broken election promise. We have seen no details, timelines or plans from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, but, rather, just empty words. This leaves carers to struggle on in uncertainty. Scrapping the carer’s means test and ending the unfair injustice and cruel financial punishment should have been a clear-cut action from day one by this Government.

Carers make personal sacrifices every day, be it in terms of their income or their own well-being, in order to care for loved ones. A recent report found that 72% of carers never receive respite. Therefore, some 72% of carers do not receive significant formal support, while nearly 70% of carers are struggling to make ends meet. This is an absolute disgrace and a shame on Government parties for standing idly by. These carers deserve respect and dignity. The work they do saves the State €20 billion each year, but 76% of them are left battling severe loneliness and abandoned by the State.

As someone who has worked with adults with disabilities for 18 years as a carer, I have always been proud of the recognition and respect Sinn Féin has showed to the work of carers in our community. The Sinn Féin charter for carers clearly sets out the value and respect we have for carers and their significant role in society. We would not rest on our laurels. We will not be stalling and delaying reports like the interdepartmental report which has been delayed since March 2024. It is now time to act and publish the report,. The inaction on the part of the Minister and her colleagues in government is not only a failure, it is also just sloppy work. It is straight up cruel on the thousands of carers across this State. It is important we say to all the young carers in the Public Gallery and to the carers tuning in to the television in their homes that we see them. We see the invaluable work they do and we will not be silenced on this. We will fight to ensure that they get the respect and the supports they are so worthy of.

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