Results 1-20 of 60 for carers speaker:Michael Collins

Support for Carers: Motion [Private Members] (24 Apr 2024)

Michael Collins: I congratulate the Minister of State in her new role, and I thank the Regional Group for tabling this important motion. Every time we have spoken about the carers of this country I have called for the carer's allowance means test to be abolished. It is time the Minister set this in motion. Carers are doing the work, so pay them. That is the simple answer. Also, the reablement...

Disability Justice: Motion [Private Members] (17 Apr 2024)

Michael Collins: ..., the process becomes even more challenging and impacts their mental and physical health. Universal payments offer a fair solution by providing consistent support to all disabled people and carers. We thereby create a safety net that does not discriminate based on perceived abilities. Disability is diverse. I will also talk about people who are trying to get disabled certificates...

National Cancer Strategy: Motion [Private Members] (16 Apr 2024)

Michael Collins: ...and who are at the greatest risk of developing breast cancer. The mobile BreastCheck unit will not be back in Bantry until the summer of 2025. Therefore, these women, many of whom are full-time carers and cannot spend a full day away from their duties to attend Cork BreastCheck clinic, will skip their appointments and put themselves at risk of going undetected. The five Munster mobile...

Supporting People with Disabilities and Carers: Motion [Private Members] (5 Mar 2024)

Michael Collins: ...ambiguity. It lacks the robustness needed to hold the State accountable for the care of those who depend on us. It is a hollow promise, a mere whisper in the wind that fails to genuinely uplift carers or those in need. The proposed amendment serves as a stark example of a Government that pays lip service to pressing issues. A "Yes" vote would unwittingly endorse this inadequacy, but...

International Women's Day: Statements (5 Mar 2024)

Michael Collins: ...with disabilities. Their tireless dedication goes beyond mere duty. It is a labour of love and a sacrifice, yet these caregivers find themselves subject to means testing when it comes to the carer's allowance. That is not a favour they are doing. It is a vital job that saves the State. It is an incredible thing that two days before Mother's Day, on International Women's Day, the...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Benefits (20 Feb 2024)

Michael Collins: 54. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her current policy regarding the carer’s allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8086/24]

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions (15 Feb 2024)

Michael Collins: ...that many cannot afford. We have huge waiting lists for physiotherapy, forcing those who again cannot afford it to pay for a private practitioner. The home help situation is at an all-time low, with carers who mind loved ones pleading for more home help hours and more patients awaiting discharge, who cannot go home as they await a homecare package to be put in place due to a lack of home...

Charities (Amendment) Bill 2023: Second Stage (25 Jan 2024)

Michael Collins: ..., ensure compliance with law and support best practice in governance, management and administration. As I said earlier, the issue we have here, especially with organisations like Meals On Wheels, community councils, community carers and community alerts, is that they are all organisations run by volunteers. It does not matter what age they are; they are still volunteers who are giving of...

Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023: Second Stage (23 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: ...payments have been paid to people in the past week and that means a lot to people, because they are under stress and under pressure. That is to be welcomed. I have often been a fighter here for the carers. The means test on the carer's allowance is a serious issue. You can look at the model around the medical cards and then look at the model for the carers. There is no sympathy for...

Home Care Workers and Home Support Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (8 Nov 2023)

Michael Collins: ...them. We see situations where they cannot get nursing home beds and community hospital beds. It is impossible for families to get long-term beds for their loved ones. We have to look at the carer's allowance. The carer's allowance is not a living wage. If it was increased to at least €350 a week, it would enable more families to stay at home and provide full-time for elderly...

Financial Resolutions 2023 - Financial Resolution No. 4: General (Resumed) (11 Oct 2023)

Michael Collins: ...the people with their nitrates and their carry-on. The Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine did nothing on nitrates. They stood idly by and let it happen. This was an opportunity to look at carers not being means-tested. A huge number of people are doing great work, keeping their loved ones at home and working hard. Deputy Canney mentioned it and it is a...

Respite Care Services: Motion [Private Members] (30 May 2023)

Michael Collins: ...to mitigate the risk of infection. Unfortunately, these services have yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, leaving families without the vital support they desperately need. Respite for carers is a significant issue in west Cork. One of my constituents - a single mother with a 14-year-old boy with severe intellectual and physical disabilities who is wheelchair-bound, has to be lifted...

Access to Autism and Disability Assessments and Supports: Motion [Private Members] (24 May 2023)

Michael Collins: ...with disabilities have had no access to an OT service since October 2022. There are no OTs available on a private basis in the area, which compounds the issue even further. Respite for carers is another significant issue in Cork West. One of my constituents, a single mother with a 14-year-old boy who has severe intellectual and physical disabilities, is wheelchair-bound and has to be...

Reform of Carer's Allowance Scheme: Motion [Private Members] (22 Mar 2023)

Michael Collins: I commend the Independent Group on putting forward this motion. It is way past time for the Government to introduce a programme of reforms related to carer's payments and in particular, the need to address the inadequacies created by the existing means test. The importance of carers cannot be overstated. They provide a crucial service that helps to maintain the dignity and independence of...

Finance Bill 2023: Second Stage (21 Mar 2023)

Michael Collins: ...duty on fuel will end, as if fuel was not dear enough. The Government always grabs and looks for a tax take on fuel so it can get its pet projects across the line in so many places. The means test for carer's allowance should be abolished. This is an area the Government needs to look at. If an elderly person is being 100% looked after at home by his spouse, just because her husband...

Social Welfare Bill 2022: Second Stage (22 Nov 2022)

Michael Collins: ...with her job and is happy to work. If she could work full time, she said she certainly would but she does not have the ability to do so. Unfortunately, for many reasons, she is falling between the cracks. Carers receiving carer's allowance, which is means tested. It is mainly women who are carers. Many carers spend hours every day taking care of the patient. When they are means...

Home Care: Motion (Resumed) [Private Members] (8 Nov 2022)

Michael Collins: In the west Cork region and nationwide a severe shortage of carers is leaving many elderly people with no option but to go into long-term residential care in nursing homes. This is not their choice or the choice of their families. I am aware of many elderly constituents who are in hospital awaiting discharge but because no home care package has been put in place and due to a shortage of...

Finance Bill 2022: Second Stage (Resumed) (25 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: The budget was a missed opportunity for many young people who are in a middle road-type situation. Fuel is hitting them very hard. They will see very little increases after the budget, only certain pain. When the Minister was announcing the budget here in the House and when I first looked at the document, to the naked eye the Minister was going to give a decrease in the cost of fuel, but...

Disability Services: Motion [Private Members] (11 Oct 2022)

Michael Collins: The shortage of respite services for children and adults with disabilities in west Cork is having an impact on carers who have had no break in recent years since the onset of the pandemic. Carers go through hell a lot of the time. The budget has let carers down. In what world should it be acceptable that someone who works and cares for another person should be means tested? After all,...

Written Answers — Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection: Social Welfare Schemes (14 Jul 2022)

Michael Collins: 543. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will exclude family means testing for persons who can qualify for the carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39145/22]