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Pringle again calls for Carer’s Allowance means test to be abolished
- Updated: 6th November 2024
Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has again called for abolishing the means test for the Carer’s Allowance, and for other measures to support carers, noting that the number of carers in Donegal nearly doubled from 2016 to 2022.
Addressing the Dáil today, Deputy Pringle said: “This government, in its most recent budget and its four previous budgets, has failed, time and time again, to recognise and acknowledge the invaluable work that our carers do.
“Not only do they provide vital care for thousands of people across the country, but from a financial point of view alone carers’ work saves the State approximately €20 billion per annum. Carers should be thanked and compensated for their work and contributions to society, not penalised.
“The current means test and limit on hours that a carer is allowed to work is ridiculous. Why are we punishing people who are saving the State time and money? Why are we ignoring that many carers are parents or family members of the person they care for?
“Why are we further condemning them to poverty?
“Carers already experience many burdens, financially, socially, in health and quality of life. The means test prevents many people providing care from being compensated for their hard work.
“In Donegal, there are almost 10,700 unpaid carers, 6% of our county’s population.
“There are 139 carers under 15 years of age providing regular unpaid care in the county and 60% of all carers in Donegal are female, in line with the national figure. This shows that females are disproportionately affected by this government’s decision to keep the means test,” he said.
The deputy was speaking in support of the Sinn Féin Motion re Abolition of Carer’s Allowance Means Test and said he fully supported the motion, particularly its calls on the government to put in place a pay-related carers’ benefit scheme and to abolish a means test for the Carer’s Allowance.
Deputy Pringle said: “Shamefully, the period between 2016 and 2022 saw significant increases in the hours of unpaid care provided.
“The number of carers in Donegal providing 43 or more hours of unpaid help each week almost doubled, from 1,688 in 2016 to 3,324 in 2022.
“It is clear that this government has made things worse for carers in this country. They have done nothing to invest in support for our carers or to recognise their immense contribution to our society.
“Years of government inaction and governments that have prioritised profit, foreign investment and large corporations over our people have hurt every fraction of our society, including our carers, teachers, childcare workers, disabled people, farmers and fishermen.
“The people see that, will let it be known on the doors and at the polls that our country deserves better. Our country deserves a government ready to make the system work for everyone, not the select few,” he said.
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