Adequate and fair wage urged for carers

THE Government should pay carers a fair and adequate wage for the hours they spend looking after sick relatives, it was claimed yesterday.

With an estimated 150,000 people nursing loved ones who are ill, disabled or frail the Carers Association said paying them a salary would formally recognise their role.

Frank Goodwin, chairman of the body, welcomed the efforts already made but said a minimum wage would be more appropriate than forcing people to apply for benefits. “What is missing and what we hope to begin to address with Government is the lack of a coherent strategy to deal with the issues of family carers.”

He said if carers did not take up these valuable roles the State would have to find around €2 billion a year to look after the sick and frail.

The Government pays income support, benefits or grants to help carers, but the association said tens of thousands of people were missing out on much-needed funds.

Under a national strategy published yesterday the group said services and supports were needed for carers, along with a fair and adequate wage, education and training, information and a work-life balance policy to support their invaluable work.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan pledged over €250 million in schemes and supports this year for carers.

“Carers make a valued and valuable contribution to Irish society through their dedication and sacrifice,” he said.

“I want that work to be recognised and acknowledged through increased benefits and practical support measures.

“I am committed to the cause of carers. Recent increases and supports have gone some considerable distance in responding to the specific requirements of carers.

The Carers Association said 150,000 family carers spend more than three million working hours on caring each week.

Mr Brennan noted the Respite Care Grant had been increased from €835 to €1,000 and extended to include all those who are providing full-time care benefiting an extra 9,000 carers.

However, he said there were many points in the strategy which struck home, in particular the need to focus on social and human dimension of family caring.

“We must always remember the support that our carers give to family members, neighbours and friends, voluntarily and with great devotion,” he said.

“Our carers enrich the lives of those for whom they care and they enhance all our lives by enabling the most vulnerable members of our society to remain with us in our communities.”