Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Carers allowance must not be targeted by the new 'Bord Snip'- Sinn Fein

Published: 15 January, 2009

Carers allowance must not be targeted by the new 'Bord Snip'- Sinn Fein

As the new "An Bord Snip" which was announced last month by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan attempts to cut back on government spending, it has emerged that Carers would be an obvious target along with Lone parents, this has been described as "deplorable" by Sinn Fein County Councillor Cora Harvey.

Cllr Harvey states:

"If the Minister for Family and Social affairs Mary Hanafin allows this to happen there will be a huge increase in the numbers seeking state care, so the question begs, how is this going to save money?. Again another proposition that just doesn't make sense, all this will do is create a false economy. There are approximately 150,000 carers across the country saving the state a fortune, it has been estimated that carers have saved the exchequer in the region of €2bn. This payment is means tested as it is and if any change's is made to carers allowance it should be an increase not a decrease.

Cllr Harvey continues:

"Realistically the most cost-effective option for the state is to support the work of families and carers in their homes as opposed to the state providing full-time institutional care. In their pre-budget submission the Carers Association had called for an increase in the carers allowance and an increase in the amount of hours that carers could work outside the home while still being eligible for the allowance, so I can certainly understand the huge opposition to this proposal.

Cllr Harvey concludes, "this shouldn't even be considered an option, carers make huge personal sacrifices to care for their loved ones at homes, it does not make up a full wage and is not a bonus and should not be treated as if it were a discretionary payment, at the end of the day it is means tested. The Minister must ensure that the carers allowance is safe guarded from any cuts. Sinn Fein fully support the role of carers in our society and will oppose any proposed cut's in this payment.






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Donegal Sinn Féin