Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have great sympathy for the issue Senator Byrne has raised. I know what it was like when my two brothers looked after my Mam, who had dementia and other ailments, before she passed away. It is unconditional love - that is the only way of putting it. They were not paid for their services but they did it because she was their mother and they were able to have her at home and give her as much independence as possible.

It is difficult when older people are in the position where they have to look after their loved ones, and choose to look after them as well, which is very important to them. As the Senator stated, it does, in many ways, save the State a lot of money. I will relay back the Senator's request and the concerns that she raised, particularly when older people are looking after their loved ones as well, that maybe there should be some kind of criteria provided for them as well.

On the particular case raised, perhaps I missed a note but I want to ask the Senator did she say they already had a carer but it was not the person who was caring for the lady?