Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Labour Party for bringing forward the motion on this important issue. The truth is that this State fails carers. We do not give them the support they need and deserve. We do not truly recognise that carers are not only providing an essential service to their own loved ones; they are also providing society with an essential service. The truth is that far too many carers are struggling to survive. When you speak to those people who are caring for their family members, it is hard to comprehend how they are doing it. On top of the myriad of duties outlined by Deputies that fall to carers, we have added an extra duty, which is the duty to campaign. They have to campaign for recognition. They have to lobby politicians to bring their pleas to this House urging Government to do the right thing.

In many ways, last year was a sea-change. I hope it will mark a turning point in how this House and society deal with and recognise carers. For the first time ever, there was a political unanimity that we needed to do better. When Deputy Mary Lou McDonald announced at the Sinn Féin Ard-Fheis that Sinn Féin was committed to abolishing the carer's means test, many people thought that it was pie in the sky stuff. However, very quickly, virtually all other parties followed suit and committed to doing so.

The Minister said that the Government will abolish the means test. Do not make people wait any longer than they already have. Please just do it.

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