Government examining payments to carers after referendum defeat
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Carers are set to receive a State contributory pension and tax credits for stay-at-home parents are to be improved under a raft of measures being worked on by the Government.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has outlined a number of extra supports that are now being worked on for those who look after family members in the home in the wake of the defeated referendum on care.
“Obviously what we have to do is to demonstrate to carers of people with disabilities that we are on their side, and that we are working in their interests," Mr Varadkar said.
While the Taoiseach said he wouldn't be announcing any budget measures this far out, he pointed to recent budgets which have increased payments to carers and people with disabilities, saying: "We can do that more".
Mr Varadkar said Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys is now carrying out a review of the carer's support grant.
"Minister Humphreys is working on further measures in that area, both a review of the means test and the various payments that are paid to carers, and also bringing in a State contributory pension for carers.
"When people are caring, they're not able to make PRSI contributions because they're not able to work because they're caring. That will be recognised so that they can get a State contributory pension.
Mr Varadkar agreed that more respite hours also need to be provided for those who care for loved ones. However, he cited staff shortages as a major challenge in delivering these supports.
"When it comes to disability and carers as well, obviously we are doing all that we can to provide more respite, which is very deficient at the moment, and provide more therapies and more services. Unfortunately, it's not up to where it should be.
"But the real difficulty there isn't financial or a lack of concern or care from the Government, it’s finding skilled people who are qualified to do the job and willing to do the job. And that’s been a real struggle," he said.
Turning to parents who stay at home to mind children, Mr Varadkar indicated that the home care tax credit could be improved.
"That's a tax credit paid to parents who are in the home and are working in the home. That is one way that we can recognise them too," he said.
"Beyond that, it's improving maternity leave, paternity leave and parental leave to give parents more choice about when they return to work, or if they are returning to work," he said.
The care amendment to the Constitution proposed deleting references to a woman’s roles and duties in the home, and replacing it with a new article that acknowledges family carers. However, many campaigners had said the language in the proposed wording was not strong enough.
The results of the care amendment earlier this month saw 73.9% of voters go against the proposed change to the Constitution. It had the highest no vote by percentage in a referendum in the history of the State.