We are all conscious of the importance of the carer's allowance scheme, which has been mentioned by most speakers. This scheme has enabled thousands of people to be cared for at home who would otherwise have to be hospitalised or cared for in nursing homes. The conditions to avail of the carer's allowance scheme have been eased in recent years, but I am sure the Minister for Social and Family Affairs will agree that further improvements are necessary. We all know of applications that narrowly fail to meet all the criteria, and I hope that the Minister, during her term of office, will be able to improve further the income limits and rates of payment and further relax the residency requirements.