Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. I thank all the family and young carers who carry out their tasks on a daily basis and save the State an absolute fortune. I thank the Oireachtas Library and Research Service, the Parliamentary Budget Office and my predecessors in the regional group, particularly Denis Naughten, who did substantial work on this issue and contributed to the position we are in today.

To restore a little balance, and it is vindicated to some extent by Family Carers Ireland in its budget 2026 proposal document, we have, since 3 July, met the single carer's allowance payment of €625 and the couples payment of €1,250, with the previous and current programme for Government committing to abolish the means test by 2027. As someone who worked in healthcare, I would crunch the numbers and say, "Yes, it possibly could be done away with". The upper-level cost would be €459 million, which possibly could be done in one budget. That sum could be taken from the HSE, transport, social welfare, etc. However, the practicalities of doing that render it impossible. There are system changes to be invoked and perhaps even a culture change. There is the accountability, efficiency and productivity aspect, including changing work practices at the back end of all this, to make sure, as speakers have noted, that payments are made on time and the reject percentage is reduced.

Apart from crunching the numbers and modelling, we have to prioritise the dignity and respect that should be afforded to people in caring roles. Ultimately, the improved well-being of the State depends on fostering, valuing and nurturing a caring and compassionate society. It should not be entirely about the monetary aspect but that part is moving in the right direction. It is just not practical to do it all in one fell swoop.

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