Family Carers Ireland has welcomed a motion put before the Oireachtas this week by Sligo Independent deputy Marian Harkin TD calling for fundamental reform of the Carer’s Allowance scheme.
The motion, supported by Roscommon Independent deputy Michael Fitzmaurice and Galway Independent deputy Catherine Connolly TD among others, received support from all speakers in the Dáil. Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys stated that the Government would not oppose the motion.
The motion called on the Government to increase the Income Disregard for Carer’s Allowance to €900 per week per household, and increase it to at least €450 per week for a single carer.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy with Family Carers Ireland says that they believe that in deciding not to oppose this motion, the Government has accepted that the value of work being done by family carers deserves to be better compensated and that the current Carer’s Allowance scheme must be reformed.
The Carer’s Allowance scheme has been in place for 33 years, and according to Catherine, is inadequate, gender biased, overly restrictive and no longer fit for purpose.
TD Marian Harkin has been giving more information regarding the payment to Midwest Radio News …
