Councillor threat over cuts

A COUNCILLOR who quit the Progressive Demo-crats last year is now threatening to leave Fianna Fáil over planned cuts that will affect carers’ allowances.

Councillor Richie Molloy fears the carers’ weekly allowance of €220 will be slashed in the April emergency budget.

Mr Molloy, who is manager of the Clonmel Carers Resource Centre, has threatened to walk away from the government party and serve as an independent if the allowances are cut.

He met with ministers Mary Hanafin and Mary Coughlan last week to inform them of his decision.

The Clonmel Borough Council member is adamant he would find it very difficult to stay with Fianna Fáil if the allowances were cut.

He said he deals daily , with carers struggling to make ends meet.

He is also disappointed at the Government’s decision not to publish the Carers’ Strategy, which he said was vital to carers as it would give formal recognition to their work and legally oblige the Government to provide them with home help and respite assistance.

He has requested the Government introduce what he described as a series of “cost neutral” or “minimal cost” proposals put forward by the carers’ association.