Sinn Féin spokesperson on Disability and Carers, Pauline Tully TD, has said that the voices of carers must be heard and must be respected.

Deputy Tully was speaking ahead of a Sinn Féin motion that calls on the government to take real action, including committing to a minimum respite guarantee and a significant relaxation of the carers allowance means-test so that more carers are supported and payments for all are increased.

Teachta Tully said:

“If knocking on doors the length and breadth of the state over the last number of months has told us anything, it is that carers are not being listened to by the government and they do not feel respected.

“The voices of carers must be heard, and must be respected. Thousands of them have told local representatives their stories and have outlined to us the extreme pressure they are under. They deserve better.

“We also know that three quarters of carers surveyed by Family Carers Ireland tell us that the people they support do not receive sufficient formal support and have never received any respite.

“Shamefully, half of carers have to pay privately for services that should be publicly provided to support their caring role.

“As a result of this lack of support, the vast majority of carers are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

“It is clear that carers can’t cope. They feel abandoned, undervalued and have been constantly let down by this government. This cannot continue.

“Sinn Féin, in our motion this week, is once again calling on the government to take real action in response.

“This includes committing to a minimum respite guarantee and a significant relaxation of the carers allowance means-test so that more carers are supported and payments for all are increased.

“Carers deserve better. Sinn Féin will continue to stand up for carers and people with disabilities, and they would be prioritised in a Sinn Féin government.”

Sinn Féin’s motion can be read here.