I welcome the opportunity to raise this important issue relating to carers in advance of the budget in December. Every Deputy in the House knows the sacrifice thousands of carers make every day of the week for their loved ones. Over the years, we have developed an ad hoc system of support for carers in our society. That system has not received the priority or the funding it deserves. Now that the strong economic performance of recent years has produced significant Exchequer returns, it is time to acknowledge the role of carers in our society.
There is a perception that the problems of carers do not affect us. That is a serious misunderstanding. We are all potential carers. Who is to say when or if we will experience the emotional, physical and financial effects of caring for a loved one struck down by accident, illness or the effects of old age? This sacrifice is the reality of life for approximately 100,000 people throughout the country. However, at present only approximately 11,000 people receive the carer's allowance of a miserly £73.50 per week. The forthcoming budget must address the legitimate demands of carers. There must be a substantial increase in the carer's allowance and a commitment to improve the whole area of community care. This would entail the provision of more professional workers such as public health nurses and occupational therapists. To co-ordinate the delivery of these services a liaison person within each community care area, who would assess the needs of carers and liaise with them and the statutory services, should also be appointed.
There is a consensus of opinion in the House that the means test discriminates against people caring for an elderly family member. Extension of the carer's allowance to people who do not come within the means test limit is essential and must be a priority in the budget. The carer's allowance should be a realistic attempt to provide carers with the means to care effectively for their loved ones. Carers often give up paid employment or their potential to engage in paid employment to care for family members in the home. Many daughters give up the prospect of marriage to care for a loved one. There should also be a new non-means tested cost-of-care allowance to cover the hidden costs of caring, such as heating, laundry, special dietary requirements and so on.
In addition to reform of the carer's allowance, it is essential that we develop an adequate system of respite care. The importance of this facility for people with a mental handicap received a full airing in the House last week. A carer's ability to continue caring, thereby saving the State thousands of pounds in residential care costs, depends on the carer having a life and interests apart from caring. Time off is vital to enable a carer to develop outside interests and to devote time to other members of the family circle. Breaks from the ongoing pressures are a basic necessity and resources must be invested in these facilities to ensure every carer is offered a break at regular and planned intervals. The Minister for Health and Children and Minster of State with responsibility for older people have given commitments over the past 18 months to radically improve the position of carers in Irish society. Now is the time for the Government to honour these commitments. Actions speak louder than words. Now that finance is available, there is a moral and political obligation on the State to establish a humane and adequate care system for people who are ill and infirm and for those who dedicate their lives to looking after them.
I look forward to the Minister's reply and to monitoring developments in this area during the lifetime of the Government.
