Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that it was done for the country. This is not about the future of the Seanad or the next election, it is about the next generation. People say it takes courage to vote. It takes courage also to support a measure, particularly when you have worked so hard. As Senator Bradford said, he may have spoken more often about carers because he has been longer in the House, but carers have always been my focus since entering the House.

I met the Carers Association as did everyone else. I have their budget briefing with me and, having gone through it, can say that it includes no mention of the respite care grant. The main concern of the Carers Association was the protection of the half-rate carer's allowance. Carers were extremely worried about it and the Minister did what they asked. I suggested yesterday a way to give something back to carers by putting in place weekly respite for carers who cannot move outside their houses and are there 24/7. We are only talking about the Carers Association sending someone to the house to let the carer go to the dentist, the hairdresser or for a walk. I met a couple who said they would love a night out on the town. All they want is someone to come in at 7 p.m. when their child had gone to bed and sit until midnight. The Carers Association provides that service and I ask the Minister to enhance it. It is a weekly respite rather than a yearly payment and it would be of great benefit to carers. The Opposition does not have a monopoly on meeting carers. I have met carers who are angry. I have met carers who said they could live with the cut to the respite grant provided the respite in St. John of Gods or other institution is maintained. Carers fear that and the threat of a 25% reduction to their respite and school transport for children with special needs. Those possibilities worried some carers more than the reduction in the respite care grant.

It is a difficult decision. There have been some good suggestions in the House, including the ¤55 million in respect of greyhound and horse racing.