91. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection when the means test for carer’s allowance will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20503/25]
Sentiment score: 0.01
Tá fhios againn go mothaíonn na cúramóirí baile nach bhfuil mórán tacaíocht á fháil acu ach amháin an liúntas cúramóra, agus fiú ansin tá means test i gceist. Cén uair a bheidh an Aire ag fáil réidh leis an tástáil achmhainne? Tá riachtanas ann fáil réidh leis.
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Tá sé ceart go leor, fuair mé an cheist i mBéarla.
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I thank the Minister. It is more than a year since the carer's referendum was overwhelmingly rejected. Almost 74% of those who voted said "No". The big issue that came up was the abolition of the means test on foot of the figure the Minister referred to of more than 99,000. Of course, many other carers get absolutely nothing. There are some suggestions that the figure in this regard is as high as 500,000. Considering this as an income support is the completely wrong way to look at it. We should look at it in terms of the fact that society cannot function without carers. We need to put an economic value, as well as a psychological and carer's value, on that work because we cannot talk about a thriving economy if we do not have carers. I am a little disappointed that a year on from the referendum, the Minister has indicated that he will work towards the abolition of the means test during the lifetime of the Government. That could be almost five years from now. He is failing utterly to recognise the value of the work done by carers.
Sentiment score: -0.03
I do not doubt the bona fides of the Minister, but the referendum was overwhelmingly rejected because of the false narrative that was played out, hypocrisy and a failure to recognise that we cannot function as a society without carers, the vast majority of whom are women and are not paid. We need to recognise that. While I welcome the changes that have been made, which are positive, it is an utter and abject failure to recognise that we need to value the work of carers in a manner that is realistic and put a value on it. I understand that an interdepartmental committee was established and was supposed to report to the Minister. The Minister for Social Protection was to receive a report from the working group by quarter 3 of last year. As of 27 February, the Minister had not received the report. Has that work been concluded? Is the report somewhere? Have I missed it?
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An interdepartmental committee was set up on this.
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On this.
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I ask the Minister to clarify the position for me.
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I understand there was a review of the carer's allowance.
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