Letters to the Editor: Our carers deserve so much more

At the moment, when a carer gives up their job to care full-time for a loved one, they become eligible for the carer’s benefit. Unfortunately, after two years this benefit is withdrawn. File picture

Between now and next month’s referendum, the political focus will be on the treatment of those caring in the home — the unsung heroes that provide a service 24 hours and seven days a week to support a child or adult with special needs.

Despite the political rhetoric, the carers of this country are at a substantial disadvantage both socially and economically.

The need to reform the social welfare code for carers is essential if our politicians are to give preference to meaningful action over the lip service experienced down through the years.

This could begin with something as basic as the carer’s benefit.

At the moment, when a carer gives up their job to care full-time for a loved one, they become eligible for the carer’s benefit. Unfortunately, after two years this benefit is withdrawn.

I am at a loss as to how any Government that purports to support the carer in the home could contemplate denying the carer’s benefit, as the needs and circumstances of both the carer and the person being cared for do not change when the two-year period has elapsed.

While such legislation remains on the statute books, how can the upcoming referendum realise its potential?

Tadhg O’Donovan, Fermoy, Cork

TV licence motions show cavalier attitude to law

Sinn Féin lays down a Dáil motion to immediately call for Revenue to collect the TV licence. Further, the party calls for an amnesty for the many who failed to purchase a TV licence since the RTÉ scandal broke.

Does this not show a cavalier attitude to the law?

And what about the multitude who have bought the licence?

Will there be anything in the motion for those people?

Peter Declan O’Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan

Escalating costs of children’s hospital

It does indeed beggar belief the continual escalating costs of the National Children’s Hospital.

Put it on track as being one of the most expensive buildings in the world, by comparison with the construction of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Wembley Stadium, and the Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia.

The latest €500m being sought to complete the hospital approximates to the original estimated construction cost.

This farce is a damning indictment of the legacy of incompetence within the upper echelons of the HSE mandarins.

Patrick O’Brien, Kerry Pike, Cork

Rafah civilians have nowhere else to go

The ever-increasing likelihood of a full-scale military offensive on Rafah, along Gaza’s southern border, has left the lives of almost 2m people hanging in the balance.

Since October, fighting and bombardment across Gaza has forced 1.7m people — some 75% of the population — to flee their homes.

Most are now in Rafah, crammed into overflowing schools and makeshift camps amidst unsanitary conditions.

Civilians sheltering in Rafah simply have nowhere else safe to go.

The months’ long failure of the international community to bring the carnage to a halt is a stain on humanity, and has left Gaza teetering on the edge of total catastrophe.

Over 28,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed, including at least 12,300 children. Over 60% of all homes have been damaged or destroyed, rendering the strip a hellscape.

There is also the added horror of 2.2m people in Gaza at imminent risk of starvation, with nine out of 10 people living on less than one meal a day.

Christian Aid has heard directly from people struggling with severe food shortages, saying that those who can bear it often only eat once a day so they can leave more food for the children.

Over two weeks ago, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled there is a plausible risk that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

The court’s legally binding orders on Israel to prevent genocide were made to reduce violence and increase humanitarian aid for civilians.

Yet, these orders remain impossible to fulfill in the absence of an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

More than 2,000 Palestinians have been killed since the ICJ ruling and aid deliveries are still routinely blocked.

If the Irish Government agrees with the ICJ that there is a serious risk of genocide in Gaza, it must outline what concrete steps it can take to prevent it.

With tens of thousands already dead, the spectre of famine raising its ugly head, and with over a million people in Rafah at risk of further violence, there can be no delay in Ireland doing all within its power to push the international community into action.

Rosamond Bennett, CEO, Christian Aid Ireland

Direct focus from Israel onto Hamas

The objectives of Israel and Hamas during this war must be clear to everyone.

Israel has vowed to rescue its citizens held hostage in Gaza for over four months, and to eliminate the presence of Hamas from Gaza.

Hamas has vowed to repeat the atrocities of October 7 until Israel is no more, no matter the cost to the civilians of Gaza behind whom they hide.

Israel has said the war will end if Hamas surrenders and releases the hostages. Yet, somehow the international pressure is on Israel to stop seeking the destruction of a genocidal terror group, rather than on the genocidal terrorists to surrender.

We are called on to boycott a basketball game against Israel, but ignore the high value soccer, motor racing, athletics, tennis and more sponsored by Qatar — a country that funds Hamas and where Hamas leaders-in-absentia live comfortably, directing a war they will never suffer.

A solution to this war must be about more than just bashing Israel.

Teresa Trainor, Dublin 16

Bruton unfairly treated during political life

It was lovely to see and hear all the warm tributes paid to former taoiseach and Fine Gael party leader John Bruton from all sides and all parties.

However, when he was in politics he was not treated so kindly by RTÉ and many other media people and politicians.

Even his own party did not treat him as fairly as they should have.

His talent and ability were underrated and not appreciated by many, and Ireland lost out because of this.

Because of Labour losing seats in the 1997 election, even though Fine Gael gained nine extra seats, Bruton was blamed for losing that election. He lasted a few more years, but the knives were out and he was ousted from politics at the young age of 56.

As a result, he never got the chance to contribute all he had to give to Irish politics. One legacy no one has mentioned is that, because of his example, he left Ireland’s politics with a greater sense of respect and decorum than that which exists in most other countries. Ireland can be proud of the civilised, generous, and fair tributes made by his political opponents.

John F Hyland, Killiney, Co Dublin

Alcohol shouldn’t be the focus

Speaking regarding the atmosphere in the Aviva Stadium during Rugby Internationals Caelan Doris said: “I think maybe having sections that are catered a little bit more for students or younger people and they are maybe encouraged to have a few more pints as well would be no harm.”

Since when did the amount of alcohol consumed by the young people in the stadium have a bearing on the way the team performs? I don’t know how anyone can stand by such an irresponsible statement least of all the captain of our international team. Caelan, focus on the points and forget about the pints.

John Higgins, Ballina, Co Mayo

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