State can't afford to pay full allowance to carers, Social Protection Minister says

Ottoline Spearman

Dara Calleary has said that the State cannot afford to pay a full allowance to all carers.

TDs debated a Social Democrats' motion earlier on Wednesday, calling for the means test for the Carer's Allowance payment to be removed.

Minister Calleary said the Government will not block the Social Democrats' motion, but reminded TDs that removing the assessment would cost an extra €600 million a year.

Speaking on Newstalk, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne said carers are some of the most exploited workers in the country.

"The unpaid work done by those who care for children, the disabled and the elderly - they are not recognised for the work that they do.

"There is no real conversation about the value of this work," he said.

"The economic market model we have places no fundamental value on care, and that is fundamentally flawed."