Mary White (Fianna Fail)

Let us not forget adult carers, who also play an outstanding role in caring for the needs of their loved ones. Only recently, 73 year old Ms Carmel Devaney from Athlone won an All Ireland Inspirational Life Award, of which I am the chief driver, for her sterling work as part of the Athlone Carers' Support Group. Ms Devaney, who has an important role at the helm of the group, is supported by committee members Margaret Caulfield and Margaret Fallon. Ms Devaney says the members meet once a month and the goal of the group is to support all those in the region who are looking after their loved ones, for whatever reason.

The group invites speakers who talk on all sorts of subjects, from social and welfare issues to manual handling and stress. Every year, the committee organises a trip, usually abroad, so members can get a break, or respite, from their all-consuming caring work. Respite has been talked about so much in the past week.

On accepting her All Ireland Inspirational Life Award, Ms Carmel Devaney said there is a broad range of issues connected with caring practices that need attention. One is that the carer's allowance is still being means tested. She said: "If you've got a certain amount of income you won't get the allowance, yet we are saving the Government an awful lot of money." She is worried that not enough provision is being made for the elderly.

Ms Devaney, the 73 year old chairwoman of the Athlone carers support group, would like more Government-sponsored assisted living centres in which old people could get help while remaining independent. Private nursing homes are not an option for most because they are too expensive. Athlone is crying out for an assisted living facility. In the opinion of Ms Devaney, the Government would want to move on this matter.