Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an rún seo. I thank Deputy Quaide and the Social Democrats for bringing forward this motion. In reality, there should not be need for this debate today. It is absolutely beyond argument that the carer's means test is unfair and disrespectful. As my colleague set out, it is actually demeaning. It needs to be scrapped. Two days before the general election was called in the previous year, a Sinn Féin motion was passed in the Dáil calling for that means test to be abolished. During the campaign, we all stood shoulder to shoulder with Ireland's carers in pushing for that to happen. The inescapable truth is that carers have been let down and left behind for decades by successive Governments.

When it comes to platitudes, barren words and empty promises, there is absolutely no shortage. Indeed, there is an abundance but when it comes to really showing up for carers and their families with the fundamental changes they need and deserve, all of that commitment dries up. The action never ever matches the promise. What carers get instead is a slow motion tinkering around the edges and they are asked to wait and wait, whether it is for the scrapping of the means test, the provision of respite care, adequate services or vital supports. It should not be this way. Carers are the backbone of our society and in many ways, they are the best of us. Every day they do incredible work and they save the State billions of euro. We know this. They do it for family with pure love. It is 24-7 and non-stop. There is no clocking out and carers just keep on going.

The sad reality that has to be confronted and named is that the State and Government take advantage of carer's love and their work. It is not fair, it is not right, it is not acceptable and it has to end. The means test has to go. That is where we are at so do it.

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