Thomas Pringle TD
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Pringle supports motion to abolish the means test for carers

Pringle supports motion to abolish the means test for carers

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has supported a call to abolish the means test for carers, saying the vital services carers provide the State must be recognised and compensated adequately.

Addressing the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “The way that family carers are treated in this country is disgraceful. Sadly, carers in Ireland are penalised despite the fact that they are providing the State with a vital service. Family carers play an extremely important role in care provision but they completely lack any recognition for the work they do and they get almost no support.

“Caring is the only job that costs money to do, with carers having to pay additional weekly costs of €244 according to Family Carers Ireland. Caring is also the only job that doesn’t allow sick days with carers afraid to take time off when they’re unwell, fearing their allowance might be stopped,” he said.

The deputy was speaking in support of the Regional Independents’ Motion re Support for Carers.

Deputy Pringle said: “I wholly support this motion’s calls to abolish the means test for carers altogether. It is estimated that removing this means test would cost the State an additional €397 million, however carers already save the State over €20 billion per year and this needs to be recognised and compensated adequately. It is unfair that carers are not getting paid for the work that they do. In my constituency of Donegal there are almost 10,700 unpaid carers, which is 6 percent of the county’s population.

“Carers Allowance is extremely outdated and gender-biased. As we know, the majority of family carers are women. It is them that we rely on to provide care, and it is them that we are failing to support. Carers are forced to be financially dependent on their partner and this is a very vulnerable position to put anyone in, particularly if they are involved in a difficult or abusive relationship.

“If the government really valued women and the role of carers in this country, they wouldn’t be pouring energy and money into a confusing referendum. They would overhaul the Carers Allowance and make it accessible to everyone that provides care in this country and that’s the way that you could actually show your bona fides in relation to providing for carers,” he said.