Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 7, before section 8, to insert the following new section:

"8.—The Minister shall, within 3 months of the commencement of this Act, lay before the Houses of the Oireachtas, a report on the review of social welfare payments for carers.".

We have had an interesting debate on carers but the means test is something we must review throughout the year. The take-up of the respite care grant is a matter I wish to keep under review to ensure people are aware of it. I meet people who would have been entitled to this grant but they were not aware of it or they did not have the wherewithal to fill out the forms. It would be worthwhile to keep this matter under review. The area needs to be expanded to bring more people into the net because it is the way forward for caring for older people or those with disabilities. It is a sign of the times that few people are in a position to care or undertake voluntary work. Many women and people who were unemployed have returned to the workplace and they are missed in the community. We must ensure we have a sufficient number of carers to look after people in their homes so the elderly do not have to end their days in institutions.