New carers allowance only assists 2% of family carers
The Carers Association has today called on the Government for complete overhaul of financial supports for family carers as figures reveal that recent budget changes in income disregards for carers only assists 2% of the caring population.
"More support is needed," said the Carers Association.
The group representing Ireland's 160,000 family carers is calling on Government for a complete overhaul of financial supports for family carers as part of the National Carers Strategy, towards which submissions are currently being sought.
CEO of the Carers Association, Enda Egan, said: "The increased income disregards for the Carers Allowance and Carers Benefit announced by Government reflect a very minor increase and are nowhere near enough financial support for family Carers.
"While these income disregard increases introduce an additional 3,000 family carers to financial supports, this figure reflects less than 2% of Ireland's 160,000 family Carers and does not even make a dent in the number of family Carers living under or just on the bread line in relative poverty".
In terms of financial supports for family carers, the Carers Association are requesting an increase in the rate of the carers allowance from €214 per week to the minimum weekly working wage of €338; allowing carers receive a full carers allowance in respect of each person they care for.
"Family Carers devote their lives to the full-time, 24 hour care of their loved-ones and without proper supports this work cannot continue in the current climate of increased living costs and an ageing population", said Mr Egan.
"If the Government do not develop sufficient supports in the upcoming National Strategy for Carers, traditional caregiving in the home will become increasingly impossible for many, putting the burden of care on the state and potentially costing the Government billions".
Submissions for the strategy can be emailed to carers.strategy@welfare.ie, or posted to National Carer's Strategy Consultation; Planning Unit; Floor 1; Department of Social and Family Affairs; Áras Mhic Dhiarmada; Store Street; Dublin 1 or faxed to: 01-7043457.
The closing date for submissions is Friday April 18.
