Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I look forward to the debate on carers which will take place next week. I ask the Leader to draw to the Government's attention the need to facilitate Irish carers who are returning home from abroad to provide full time care for family members. The current operation of the habitual residence conditions is affecting many of these very deserving people. We need the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Ó Cuív, to waive the habitual residence condition in respect of such people. When one considers that there are 160,000 family carers in the State, who are probably doing work to the value of €2.5 billion, it should be clear to all of us that such people are perhaps the most efficient and cost-effective arm of our health service.

For too long we have treated them with disregard by not catering adequately for their needs, not just in terms of their financial entitlements but also their mental health and the various social supports they need, given the very important work they are doing. They are among the most important components, in terms of social glue, in our society. I hope that during the current difficult financial times this category, in particular, will not be forgotten, given the old adage that a stich in time saves nine. Investment in the work of carers is money saved down the line in our health service. I wanted to put that on the record because I would be grateful if the Leader would draw the attention of the Minister to the topic in order that instead of coming in here next week and listening to what we have to say we could get some commitments from the Minister during the course of the debate on carers.