Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have come from a conference in the Ashling Hotel hosted by Family Carers Ireland. I take this opportunity to note the vital work Family Carers Ireland does in advocating for carers. Those carers, as we all know, are the backbone of our health and social community and without them we would be lost. They save our country billions every year. They have a few small asks, one of which is to get rid of the means test. We have worked in this House on increasing the income disregard but I hope that will go further in the next Dáil and we will fully get rid of the means test for carers. Major work needs to be done on respite for family carers, not just overnight respite but respite that suits people's needs and wants, as well as on access to education, which I have spoken on before, therapists back in schools and remodelling of the HSE.

It was a very insightful conference. There is a great deal of hurt among family carers. They do not feel they are listened to. I want to say that I and my colleagues in Fianna Fáil hear them. There is a huge amount of work we need to do to ensure carers feel valued. It is not just from a monetary point of view that they get an extra few bob, but that they feel their place in society is valued and they have worth. It was great listening to them and contributing today. I really enjoyed it, but I know there is much work to do.I acknowledge the great work that the organisation itself is doing. It has been relentless in advocating for family carers.

We are in the closing days of the Seanad, although I hope to have another chance to get to my feet. I thank the Seanad Office, the Cathaoirleach’s office, Mr. Martin Groves and all his staff for helping us and running the Seanad so smoothly. I also thank all of the other staff in the Houses of the Oireachtas and all of my colleagues. I wish everyone the best of luck. It has been an honour to be a Senator.