Margaret Cox (Fianna Fail)

That is a problem. Relying on the pairing system while one is sitting in the labour ward and missing a vote which might cause the downfall of the Government is not something that Members of this Parliament should have to support.

No doubt the people on the other side of the House will say we do not have a commitment to carers and we should have a carer's allowance for everyone, but that is not possible now. Despite the difficult circumstances this year we have increased the respite grant, bringing it up to €735 a year for one person, and to €1,470 for two people. That is to be welcomed. This is a payment to people who look after the disabled, or elderly relatives, and it makes a huge difference in a household when that cheque comes in, whether from the Department of Social and Family Affairs or from the health board. I want to see that continue to show the carers that the Government values their work and recognises that it cannot be done 24 hours a day, seven days a week without some respite to enable carers to do their job properly.

I also welcome the increased disregards in relation to eligibility. Continuing to increase the disregards in order for people to benefit from the carer's allowance is the way to go. There is, however, an anomaly in the system whereby the carer cannot receive two social welfare payments. If a widower or widow is receiving a State pension or a pay related pension and then becomes a carer, that person cannot receive the carer's allowance. This is discrimination because they would have a disregard if their spouse were alive.

Senator Brian Hayes was right in that there are opportunities to look at reform of the social welfare system. It is time to look outside the box and to make the changes, some of which may be difficult. If they involve inclusion and supporting the disadvantaged it is time to make sure that we address the anomalies in the system. We must put the money into the pockets of those who need it most.

I welcome the increase in carer's allowance of €10 for those over 66 and of €7 for those under 66. Carer's benefit was one of the most creative legislative provisions ever made. It allows people to take carer's leave from their employment in order to look after a relative who is ill or in need of full-time care in the home. However, the system is relatively difficult to access for people in these circumstances who find themselves under stress in the home and at work. They must apply for carer's leave, have forms signed by doctors and employers and apply for carer's benefit. The two different systems involved need to be streamlined and there is no reason that one application cannot be made to serve for everything. Computerisation should have facilitated the implementation of a more efficient system.