Tied to this is the important issue of carers. I said in the other House that we should reflect on where society is going. In my opinion the State should not take over the role of the family. However, it is the role of the State to give recognition and support to carers. Very often money is not necessarily what is needed in regard to caring; other supports are equally necessary. The money was provided in recent years through the carer's allowance, the income disregard for carer's allowance and the increases in carer's allowance, in particular respite care.