Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

I am sorry, €150 million. The Minister has increased the disregard on this occasion so that a single person can have a disregard of €210 per week and a couple can have a joint income disregard of €420. This means that 4,500 carers will benefit, it will increase the allowance currently received by 2,800 carers and will ensure that an additional 1,700 carers will qualify for a payment. That is in addition to the innovative schemes introduced, such as the social insurance scheme which allows for carer's leave and carer's benefit.

As an employer, I saw this year the beneficial effect that scheme had for one employee of mine. Unfortunately, a close family member of that employee took ill and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The employee was in a position to take carer's leave and apply for carer's benefit which allowed that person to spend 12 weeks off work caring for the family member while receiving a payment. The ill person was able to stay at home, cared for by his family, and did not have to stay in a hospital or hospice.

The challenge for the future is to look at new ways of doing things, ways that benefit people in the easiest manner so that there will be a better quality of life for those receiving care. Carer's benefit, carer's leave and payments to carers are continually examined and changes and improvements will continue.