Michael Lowry (Tipperary North, Independent)

Caring for the elderly in our communities is both a duty and a privilege. Providing an older person with the support he or she needs for both physical and emotional well-being gives that person a sense of worth. During the Covid period, we got a sharp wake-up call on the importance of how we care for our older generation. As the number of deaths of elderly men and women increased on a daily basis, the magnitude of their value was brought into sharp focus. Their loss was enormous. The Covid pandemic left a lasting mark on our society, particularly our elderly. People are living longer and this increase in longevity means we must plan for the future. We must meet older people's needs and ensure they can live contentedly.

There has been a significant number of improvements over the years in ensuring older people receive the health services, care and support they require in their golden years. However, worrying gaps remain in the complete provision of all-round elderly care. As all elected Members know, supports such as home help and home care packages are struggling due to a lack of personnel to deliver them. At present, there are 4,800 older people sanctioned and funded for home help assistance who have no immediate prospect of support. Daycare centres, meals on wheels, nursing home respite care and basic health services within communities are invaluable for our older generation. However, countless elderly people are denied access to those services. Public nursing home places and step-down facilities to assist in recovery from a hospital stay are crucial to making life easier, safer and happier for our senior citizens. Yet, only a fraction of those who need them can access those vital supports. Often, their only option is to rely on family. This can be an onerous task for families and it demands total commitment. Carers' invaluable 24-7 work can go unseen. Without their selfless commitment, we would undoubtedly face an unprecedented crisis. As the Minister knows, our regional Independent group places huge importance on the role of carers. Our efforts have already brought about an increase in the income disregard for carer's allowance. In this budget, we are seeking a further increase in the income threshold, working towards the full abolition of the means test for carer's allowance in due course.

It is said that the measure of a country's greatness is how well it cares for its most vulnerable populations. Few are more vulnerable than our older people. There is much we can do to improve and enrich their lives. The Minister for Health, in these budget negotiations, requires an adequate budget to deal and cope with these issues. The Government has a moral obligation to plan ahead and resource the inevitable increase in demand.

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