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Deputy Nolan said a growing number of older constituents who are carers feel deeply aggrieved that, because they are in receipt of a state pension, they are only entitled to claim for the half-rate of carers allowance.
Independent TD Carol Nolan has said she is engaging with the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphries with a view to increasing the rate of Carers payments that currently apply to those in receipt of state pensions.
Deputy Nolan said she is being contacted by a growing number of older constituents who feel deeply aggrieved by the fact that because they are in receipt of a state contributory pension they are only entitled to apply and claim for the half-rate of carers allowance.
The Independent TD said the problem is only going to increase given the changing demographic profile of the population:
“What I am talking about here are people who have worked all their lives, paid their taxes, and who now care for their loved ones, but who at the same time are being told that the rate of payment they can receive is only half of what it should be by right,” said Nolan.
“Government needs to change this. We also know from a recent Family Carers Ireland report that almost three quarters of carers have never received respite and that half of carers must pay privately for services that should be publicly provided to support their caring role.”
“These are not just policy failures. They are a betrayal of the social contract. There is no meaningful safety net for these carers in terms of adequate payment or respite. That must change,” concluded Deputy Nolan.”
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