End means testing for family carers urges Fitzpatrick

The Regional Group, comprising nine Dáil Deputies, including Louth’s Peter Fitzpatrick, is seeking cross party support for their motion to end the means testing of family carers. The motion seeks to replace the current system with a non-means tested scheme based solely on care needs, recognising the invaluable contribution of over 500,000 family carers across Ireland.

“Family Carers represent one in eight of the Irish population and have long been the cornerstone of care provision in the country. However, the financial vulnerability imposed by the current means testing of the Carer’s Allowance has left many carers in uncertain financial situations, often dependent on their partner’s income. In many more instances carers and those whom they are caring for are struggling to make ends meet, forcing them to make a choice between food and fuel for heating”, said Deputy Fitzpatrick.

“You only have to read the State of Caring Report 2022 produced by Family Carers Ireland to see the significant challenges faced by family carers, including the battle in accessing services and carer’s themselves feeling undervalued by society.”

Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick, speaking on behalf of the Regional Group, emphasised the critical need for legislative change: “The recent referendum has once again shone a light on the critical role carers play in our communities. For too long family carers have been left behind without proper support by the State. This needs to end now”.

Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland, supports the call for reform by the Regional Group: “The means test for Carer’s Allowance is outdated, gender-biased, and no longer fit for purpose. Thousands of fulltime family carers do not qualify for Carer’s Allowance due to modest household incomes, undervaluing the full-time work they provide. The introduction of a Participation Income* would mark a significant step forward in acknowledging and supporting the vital work of family carers in our society.”

Deputy Fitzpatrick affirms that the Regional Group’s Private Members Motion proposes the introduction of a non-means tested payment for carers by 2027, with a significant increase in the income thresholds from now until that date; a move that aligns with the long-standing advocacy efforts of Family Carers Ireland for a more inclusive and supportive system for carers.

The motion is set for debate this Wednesday.