Carers’ feelings of “hurt, rage and disappointment” about the ongoing means test for carers’ allowance have been brought to the attention of the Dáil, reports RTE.
Even though the threshold has raised, Verona Murphy of the Regional Group of Independents stated that carers were quite disappointed that the government had not opted to do away with means testing in the Budget.
Ms. Murphy informed the Dáil, “They feel their worth hasn’t been acknowledged,” reports RTE.
During the care referendum campaign, Ms. Murphy quoted Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, saying, “Fine Gael takes great pride in delivering a more modern, inclusive Ireland… an Ireland that recognises that all families are different.”
“The reality is we’ve never had a discussion about that failed referendum that cost us €20m,” the Wexford TD said, reports RTE.
Ms. Murphy questioned Minister Humphreys’ disrespect for National University of Ireland, Maynooth, studies on the elimination of the means test.
Although Minister Humphreys acknowledged that she may face many accusations, she claimed that she was not accustomed to talking out of both sides of her mouth, reports RTE.
“Family carers pay a hugely important role, and I have been committed to supporting them in that role,” added the minister.
Minister Humphreys said that she routinely interacted with both carer organisations and individual carers, reports RTE.
She stated that as the Minister for Social Protection, she had defended family carers and the amazing, sometimes overlooked job they performed.
The minister announced an increase in the domiciliary care allowance as well as the availability of a carers’ benefit for self-employed individuals.
According to her, the rate for carers allowance has quadrupled due to the means test threshold, which is set at €1,250 for a couple and €625 for an individual, reports RTE.
She noted that because to her efforts in the last budget, around 2,200 carers had benefited from the State pension.
Minister Humphreys stated that she has raised the means test because she was aware of its negative effects on carers, reports RTE.
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