Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. First, it is important to acknowledge the budget and the targeted measures that were put in place by the Minister across all sectors of society, particularly that comprising those who are most vulnerable. The extra supports that were put in place and the widening of the fuel allowances were provided to those who are most vulnerable in society. I compliment the Minister on the budget. It is an excellent budget that will support those who most need it. That is what is important.

On the fuel allowance, I am getting many queries about the working family payment from people in my area. It is an excellent payment but some people who are on the working family payment are not eligible for the fuel allowance. In some instances, people are getting only the minimum, which is €20 per week, and do not qualify for the fuel allowance. People who are on community employment schemes, Tús, the rural social scheme and disability allowance are all eligible for the fuel allowance, but those on the working family payment are not. I ask that this be examined.

Senator Wall referred to carer's allowance. One way of putting it is that decisions in respect of this allowance tend to vary. Like Senators Wall and Ardagh, I am a member of the Joint Committee on Autism. In my area, there are many families who are in extremely difficult situations. Some of them have more than one child. In many instances, one parent is not able to work full-time because they have to care for the child with autism. I ask that this be reviewed.

There needs to be consultation with the Department of Health with regard to the carer's allowance in general. In many cases. people are staying home to care for elderly relatives who would otherwise be in nursing homes funded by the Department of Health. That matter also needs to be reviewed. The Department of Health needs to make a contribution. We should look at instances where families are in extremely difficult situations, particularly where they have youngsters who need to be looked after on a full-time basis and where one parent has to be at home. We need to look at this matter in a slightly different way. You cannot draw a line in respect of a certain income level and leave it at that. We have to focus on the child and on the needs of the child.