Carers and their families were failed spectacularly during Covid crisis

The clamour to fight for the economic wellbeing of ‘workers’ and ‘ordinary’ people is worthwhile, but it has revealed the lowliness with which the political class regard us carers

Michael Mulligan, who is a carer to his sister Jodie. 'We are ordinary people, we are workers and we deserve political and economic parity.'

The pandemic has been a troubling and anxious time for everyone, but for people with disabilities and their carers it has been a hellish journey — navigating the twists and turns of lockdown as we sink ever lower in the minds of the well and able.

Just last week, those of us concerned watched Dáil proceedings as the Minister for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte defended her Government’s commitment to the sector, simultaneously admitting that she had to fight for every cent of the inadequate funding provided.