Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On section 5 of the Bill, yesterday was a today for somebody too. I have met carers and I have listened to feedback from them. I know of carers who passed away ahead of the person for whom they were caring. Caring is a difficult job. We must acknowledge the great work done by carers. They work for their welfare payment and they save the State significant money.

What is clear from listening to so much feedback is that the needs of carers and those being cared for, are not all the same, yet they all get the same grant payment. It is clear that some carers work full-time besides caring for a person. Some, like Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, care for a person 24 hours a day.

If we are to be fair and just, we would acknowledge that one size of a grant does not fit all needs. From listening to the former Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin on the Galway Bay FM on Monday morning and from reading his account in the Sunday Independent, it is clear that his wife's caring for the needs of their autistic son is full-time. I have a request to make of the Minister in this respect. As others have said, this grant does is not due to be paid until June. Will the Minister give a commitment that on Committee Stage that we would drill down and examine the impact this cut will have on carers? It was said on Second Stage yesterday that perhaps that money should be spent on providing services. There will absolutely be respite care in order that carers can take a break. It is only by having those breaks they can continue caring and that they would get the sustenance and have the well-being to do so. I ask the Minister to examine that-----