Fine Gael will completely reform financial supports for Family Carers by abolishing the Carer’s Allowance Means Test and introducing a new Family Carer Payment of €325 per week, according to Fine Gael Senator and General Election candidate John Cummins
Senator Cummins has said the move would support thousands of family carers across Waterford who work day in day out to care for their loved ones..
Fine Gael will immediately double the weekly earnings limits to €1,250 for a single Carer and €2,500 for a couple.
In a situation where a mother has to give up her job to provide full time care to a child with special needs, this would mean her husband/partner could have an annual salary of €130,000 and she would still qualify for the full payment.
Fine Gael will continue to increase this limit in each Budget with the means test completely phased out over the term of the next Government.
John Cummins said;
“Today Fine Gael is setting out its plan to support our family carers.
“Most people in the social welfare system receive a payment because they either can’t work or are seeking work.
“Carers are working 24/7 providing full-time care to loved ones and it is so so important that they are recognised for their work which saves the state billions per annum.
“If a mother has to give up her job and career to provide full time care to a child with a disability, the current system means if her husband earns over a certain limit, she is essentially not recognised by the State – my party is committed to changing this.
“Carers save the State billions every year and we are determined that the vital work and contribution they make to society is recognised and valued.
“Fine Gael increased the Carer’s Support Grant to €2,000 – it’s highest ever level. We have increased weekly payments to Carers by €41 and we have ensured Carers were prioritised in all of the Cost of Living lump sum payments.
“Indeed only this week 145,000 Carers across the country will receive a €400 lump sum payment to help them with the cost of living.
“Fine Gael also passed the legislation to provide a pension for long term Carers ensuring they receive pension contributions for the time they spent caring – that was a major policy change by Fine Gael to support Carers in the last Government.
“The means test is unfinished business and Taoiseach Simon Harris has made it very clear Fine Gael will abolish the means test over the lifetime of the next government, if we form part it. We will also increase the weekly payment to Carers to €325.