Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is aware that I tabled these amendments previously but agreed to wait for the reports. I have now resubmitted them. The first amendment relates to the increase in the hours for which carers may study or work outside the home without an increase in the earnings disregard from 15 to 18.5. I am not happy with the report. Perhaps I have missed something but I went through it over the weekend and it did not really answer the question as to why the number of hours has been increased while the associated financial disregard has not. I do not think one can be done without the other, as I said. It has been stagnant for 11 years without an increase. Unless the Minister can give me clarification, it seems the allowance is not commensurate with the increased hours. Maybe I did miss something in the report but I studied it very hard and could not find anything. The Minister said that the report had already been produced so I withdrew the amendment in good faith. I chased the Minister's office for a little while. I am not being punitive towards the Minister's staff but I did not find the information requested in this report. Perhaps the Minister can provide the rationale for increasing these hours without a corresponding income disregard in her reply.

I also withdrew amendment No. 2 pending a report but have again resubmitted it. The number one priority for carers is reform of the means test for carer's allowance. Alarm bells should sound when we see only one in five carers receiving carer's allowance. The eligibility criteria are far too strict and actively prevent carers from accessing social welfare supports. They are put off. I said that previously. The eligibility criteria are very strict. Again, I am not satisfied with the report mentioned on Committee Stage. I continue to request a review of the means test in consultation with stakeholders. I spoke to Family Carers Ireland and it is unaware of such a review having taken place despite it being the main body representing carers throughout the country. Will the Minister outline when the stakeholders were consulted and whether Family Carers Ireland was consulted? If not, I will push for votes on both amendments.