Brennan pledges benefits for carers

SOCIAL and Community Affairs Minister Séamus Brennan has promised family carers a package of benefits in next month’s budget.

But while Mr Brennan says he is anxious to recognise the work of the country’s 150,000 carers he still needs Government agreement on what he can include in the package.

Of particular concern to the Carers’ Association is the terrible hard times some carers endure because they are either entitled to a State pension or a carers’ allowance, but not both.