Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, to the House and thank her for taking this matter.

Recently I met a man who is in his 80s and he is caring for his wife at home. She is able to avail of a medical card. She has multiple medical issues and a number of carers come to the house on a daily basis. In terms of his own application for a medical card, they are over the limit as a couple. However, what is not taken into account is the fact that he has to run the heating 24-7 and there are many things that he pays for. His wife is entitled to carers so many hours in the week but he himself pays for extra carers out of his own money. I have come across a number of couples in the same situation. I note the amount of money that he is saving the State by caring for his wife at home. She is in her late 70s. She rarely goes to the nursing home. She receives all her care and attention at home. A medical team comes regularly to her. This man, by making the choice to look after his wife at home, is saving the State a great deal of money.

However, the man himself is, unjustly, being disenfranchised by not being able to avail of a medical card. He has so many outgoings that at the end of every week a lot of the money that he receives is gone out in payments. I have come across a number of couples who have been in a similar situation. When people, especially those over the age of 66, and even into their 70s and 80s, are caring for loved ones at home, it is not taken into account that they have outgoings, nor is the time that they have to give taken into account. The day I met this gentleman he was coming back from a walk with his dog. He was able to go out for the walk with the dog because two of the carers were there at the time. Other than when they are there he does not move outside the door. He has had to give up his golf. He has had to give up his social life because he is at home with his wife 24-7. Consideration should be given that if a person is caring for somebody at home, he or she should equally be able to avail of the use of a medical card.