Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

She is, indeed.

I have received representations from single parents of children with disabilities who have been unsuccessful in their applications for carer's allowance. Caring for a child who is classified as having a severe or profound disability is a 24/7 job but caring for a child with a high level of care needs becomes significantly more difficult if one is a single parent. Single mothers and fathers caring for their children still have to pay their mortgages or rent and their utility bills, as well as providing clothing, food and the other essentials that every family needs. A parent of a child with a disability who does not qualify for a medical card or has had a medical card removed must also pay for trips to the doctor, special orthotic shoes, additional therapies, accessible transport and minders or carers to look after the child while he or she is at work. These parents must also cope with the same stresses as other parents and carers.

I am aware that single parents can avail of certain payments aside from the carer's allowance to assist them but we need to do a better job in terms of payments to parents and families generally. I ask that the Minister for Social Protection give consideration to the fact that the situation of a single parent carer of a child with a disability is completely different to that of a couple. I received a representation recently from a single mother with a disabled child in the severe-profound category who has been refused carer's allowance on a number of occasions and has appealed that refusal. She feels that she is being victimised for going out to work while also trying to care for her son. If she had a partner in her house then her bills, mortgage payments and so forth would be shared. As it stands, she must pay all of the bills, including her mortgage, herself as well as meeting the additional costs of caring for her disabled son. I ask the Minister to recognise the fact that single parents incur additional costs in caring for disabled children and consider whether this could be taken into account in the context of applications for carer's allowance.