20 JANUARY 2009
Angry reaction to Government targeting carers’ allowance
By Neill O’Neill
CARERS across Mayo have reacted with outrage to the prospect that the Government might consider targeting carers’ allowances for budgetary cuts.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Mary Hanafin TD, has suggested that the cost-cutting board set up by An Taoiseach to reduce departmental spending (dubbed An Bord Snip Nua) may focus on cutting recently-introduced increases such as the half-rate carers’ allowance introduced two years ago.
The Carers Association say they have been inundated with calls from carers across Mayo who are angry and very worried over Minister Hanafin’s comments.
Mayo’s 5,440 family carers contribute over 132,873 hours every week to Ireland’s social economy, saving the State over €89 million each year in money that would otherwise have to be spent on accommodating people in nursing homes or hospitals.
Local Fine Gael Deputy, and opposition Spokesperson for Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs, Michael Ring, said there will be public outrage and strong resistance to any attempt to cut back on the carers allowance.
According to the CEO of the National Carers Association, Enda Egan, family carers receiving the carers’ allowance of €220 per week must be providing full care in the home in order to receive this payment. He argues that this is only €16 per week above the jobseekers’ allowance, yet carers work full-time and are on call 24 hours, seven days a week, as well as having to deal with the hidden costs of caring.
“Cutting essential allowances for family carers would be an absolute disgrace,” said Mr Egan. “Reducing the carers’ allowance, removing the half-rate carers’ allowance or reducing income for family carers, many of whom are already living on the poverty line, will seriously endanger the continuation of care in the home. Carers are already a very vulnerable group providing front line services in the community, and should not become victims of the Government’s efforts to cut spending.”
The organisation argues that allowance cuts could result in many carers – who contribute over three million hours of care per week, saving the Exchequer over €2.5 billion annually – being forced to pass the care of family members and loved ones to the State, as they will no longer be able to afford medical supplies and increasing food, heating and electricity costs. They contend that the State will then have to meet these costs.
SOURCE: Mayo News
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Deja Vu! Not long ago I remember posting similar move by the Australian government. May be there are other governments who are also thinking about similar actions.
It is very disappointing that the funding to the Aged are often the first to be "attacked" for funding cuts in any poor economic downturn.
We all realize that the recent financial debacles are felt globally. But any measures to cut allowances to carers must be defeated.
Those who care for family members are often living on the poverty. This, in addition to the stresses and emotional turmoil experienced in the task of caring for a loved one at home, could break the delicate balance between good health and sanity for the carers. Then what?
We must all support carers in their noble, thankless task.
Any attempts in cut allowances to carers, can be seen as short-sighted and cruel.
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