THE GOVERNMENT HITS THE VUNERABLE AGAIN

Outrage Over Proposed Cuts in Allowance for Carers

The proposed cuts mooted by the Minister for Family and Social Affairs, Mary Hanafin, TD, have been greeted with outrage and grave concern by carers, their families, and public representatives. The Carers Association has been inundated with calls from people across the country who are extremely worried over Minister Hanafin’s comments.

Local Sinn Féin election candidate Fergus Byrne said: "Carers devote many hours each week to the social economy, saving the State many millions of Euros annually – money which would otherwise have to be spent on nursing home or hospital beds for the patients concerned. Because of this ill-advised proposal, many carers may have no choice but to pass on the burden of care back to the State, due to the fact that it may soon be impossible for them to remain as full-time carers. Cutting these essential allowances would be an absolute disgrace".

Mr Byrne went on to say: "It is typical of the current Government’s attitude towards the vulnerable in our community. Carers did not cause this economic mess. Many of them live close to the poverty line as it is, and yet they may now be made to suffer further because of the Government’s ineptitude with regard to finances".