‘If allowance is cut my son could end up in care’

SINGLE mother Alison McKim was disappointed that just five TDs turned up at her door to see how she copes with her blind teenage son who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy and asthma.

Two weeks ago the Carers’ Association invited ministers, TDs and senators to travel on their bus from the Dáil to Ms McKim’s home in Terenure, Dublin, and had expected up to 20 politicians to take up the offer. Three of the TDs who travelled on the bus were from Labour – Roisín Shorthall, Jan O’Sullivan and Mary Upton. The two other were Joe Behan (Ind), who resigned from the Fianna Fáil party over the over-70s medical card fiasco, and John McGuinness (FF), a former junior minister.

Ms McKim, 38, told the politicians that feared cuts in the carers’ allowance would devastate people like her looking after severely disabled family members.

“It would really rip my heart out if Zack had to go into full-time care. At the moment, I am coping and Zack is very happy at home,” she said.

The Carers’ Association has appealed to the Government not to axe the €110 a week half-rate benefit paid to relatives to help them make ends meet.

To qualify for the payment, carers must be in receipt of another social welfare payment, such as the state pension and provide full-time, high-dependency care, which is often in excess of 50 hours per week.

Ms McKim receives the lone parents allowance and the half-rate carers’ allowance, while 17-year-old Zack receives a disability payment.

“The half-rate carers’ allowance makes a huge difference to our lives,” said Ms McKim. “That €110 per week goes on electricity, heat and the medical supplies Zack needs that are not covered by the medical card. If it is cut we will have to live in one room as I won’t be able to afford the heat and electricity bills.

“Considering what it would cost to put Zack into full-time care, I think it’s a disgrace that Government would consider cutting the payment.”

The Carers’ Association said delays in publishing the long-awaited National Carers Strategy have fuelled fears that the Government plans to wipe out the half-rate carers’ allowance, or close it to new applicants, in next month’s budget.

The association’s chief executive, Enda Egan, said any cuts were unacceptable.