Lynn Boylan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on today's motion. I am sure that many of the 500,000 carers in the State are watching this debate, and hoping that they finally get the recognition that they deserve because they are often left wondering who is going to care for the carers. They would often say that it is does not seem to be this Government. The strain on carers and families is horrendous at the best of times but during the pandemic, it has been unbearable.

Last month in the Dáil, my colleagues Deputies Kerrane, Tully and Cullinane introduced a motion calling for improved conditions and supports for carers. It was supported by all the parties. Since then, the Government had the opportunity to clearly demonstrate that it cares for family carers but has there been any concrete action taken? Have there been any tangible steps taken to improve the lives of carers, because today we have another motion from a Government party calling for the Government to act? It is more words, and carers are growing sick and tired of meaningless words and pats on the back. Carers are doing the work that the State should be doing and they are in dire need of a break. However, carers' goodwill is often used against them and they feel that they have been taken for granted. Just last week representatives of Family Carers Ireland were in front of the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection and spoke about how let down they felt as a result of not being prioritised for vaccination. It is notable that Fine Gael is putting forward this motion to acknowledge and support carers but also willfully ignoring some of the things that are being asked for to help them in their caring roles at this time.

Carers have been largely ignored but their value to the State is unquestionable and we have to invest in them. Doing so is a win-win for both families and the State and takes pressure off hospitals, nursing homes and GP services. In many cases carers work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with the majority not getting paid for half the hours they have worked. The latter equates to up to 19 million hours per week unpaid and we need to acknowledge the care they provide for the most vulnerable people in our society. It is estimated that family carers save the State approximately €20 billion a year so they deserve to see the good they do reflected by the State.Today's motion does not prioritise carers in the vaccine roll-out and family carers are not currently scheduled to be vaccinated any sooner than the general population, even though they play a vital role as primary caregivers to people who have very vulnerable immune systems. Since the pandemic began, they have not been offered any personal protective equipment or financial support. Family carers are exhausted. They are caring for highly vulnerable people, but as they are not considered to be a group, they fall through the net. It is possible that some carers, despite the huge strain they are under, could be among the last to be vaccinated on an individual basis. Each day that carers are not vaccinated is another day that they play Russian roulette with their loved ones. The stress and consequent anxiety is having a hugely negative impact on them and their mental health.

The motion also recognises that more than 52% of the work of carers is outside the home in paid employment, in addition to their role as carer. In the budget before last the Government increased the hours that carers can work from 15 to 18.5 per week and carers were told they could work more outside the home if they wanted. However, if they earn more, there is an immediate impact and a reduction in their carer's allowance. At that stage, which was well before Covid, when more money was available, the income disregard should have been increased in line with the additional hours. It is a mistake that this was not done and it is something that I believe should be fixed.

Last month Sinn Féin Deputies Kirrane and Tully launched a charter for family carers. It was designed in consultation with the carers' representative groups. It goes beyond what is called for in today's motion. The charter details how we can deliver vital financial support by increasing the carer's allowance and carer's benefit from €219 to €255 and increasing the annual carer's support grant by €150 to €2,000. It also widens eligibility criteria so more carers can receive support instead of being shut out by income thresholds or due to being self-employed.

Crucially, the charter puts in place financial support for carers, not only during their time of caring but also in retirement by ensuring careful review of the new total contributions approach to make sure carers benefit. Importantly, it also delivers key emotional support by putting in place an emergency talk therapy fund to give essential support to family carers, as many are currently feeling burnt out due to the pressures of the pandemic. It also ensures family carers are considered a priority group for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine. This is essential as many families have been effectively at home for more than a year. The implementation of Sinn Féin's carers' charter would cost a fraction of the value carers offer to the State. We must do right by carers. Let us not just recognise the work that they do as being vital but let us value them and give carers a break.