Seanad debates

Wednesday, 15 June 2016

10:30 am

Photo of Catherine ArdaghCatherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Fianna Fáil group I wish to convey our sympathy to the innocent victims of the Orlando shootings, the LGBT community in Orlando and the wider community. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this time and we condemn that devastating and hateful act. I would also like to convey the sympathies of the Fianna Fáil group with the families of the police officer and his partner who were murdered in Paris.

I wish to express my disappointment that the Seanad will be taking a longer than usual break this summer, given our late start to the term. However, despite the short window, I assure the House that the members of the Fianna Fáil group will use the time available to initiate and progress much legislation. As a new Member of this House, I welcome the enthusiasm shared by all sides last Wednesday with regard to the reform of Seanad Éireann. There have been over a dozen reports on Seanad reform in recent times and I am pleased to say that the Fianna Fáil group will be spearheading and supporting reforms over the course of this Seanad. As all Members are aware, this is national carer's week. We all accept and recognise that carers play an integral role in our society, looking after loved ones and family members at a substantially reduced cost to the State. Without them, our health service would collapse. However, many face a serious financial burden because of substantial delays to their payments. Fianna Fáil learned last week that the average processing time for carer's benefit and carer's allowance is more than 18 weeks. The appeals process could take a further 23 weeks. This means a carer could be waiting more than nine months before receiving a payment. This is unacceptable and is symptomatic of the unfairness perpetrated by Fine Gael in Government. I ask that the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Leo Varadkar, address the House and explain the delays and outline the actions he is taking to ensure that his Department fully supports and engages with the carer community. These processing delays place additional stress on carers who are already under immense pressure as a result of their caring roles. Efforts should be made to ease the burden, not exacerbate it. As carers provide an invaluable service to the State, it is only fair that the Government shows them the respect they deserve.

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