Seanad debates
Wednesday, 18 December 2002
Social Welfare Bill, 2002: Second Stage.
I appreciate there is a divergence of views as to whether removing the means test is the correct thing to do. We do not know how many carers there are. There is a view that some people can well afford to pay and they should not participate in a scheme to support those who cannot manage or cope. This is a debate which must take place. In the context of the means test, and based on the information available to us, it would cost an additional €150 million to include most carers in the carer's allowance scheme. We are moving towards the introduction of an additional 5,000 carers.
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