Labour would end carers’ means test

LABOUR has promised to abolish the means test for carers if returned to power in the summer general election.

Citing statistics from the Department of Social Affairs, party leader Pat Rabbitte said yesterday that less than one-fifth of the country’s 150,000 carers were receiving the allowance because the means test was too severe.

The time had come to change that situation and “recognise carers’ selfless commitment.”

Mr Rabbitte said the commitment to carers was to recognise the fact they were “unsung heroes” who made an invaluable contribution to communities throughout the country.

Mr Rabbitte said Labour would change the system so that carers received their allowance based on their level of work, rather than through a means test, which involves assessing the applicant’s income.

This is the third of five ‘commitments to change’ that Labour has announced in advance of the election. The others were a year’s free pre-school education for every child and, a tripling of the amount of community gardaí. The remaining two will be revealed over the next fortnight.