Recognition of married family carers
Boylan argues that married daughters caring for elderly parents at home need State recognition, particularly as places in State care are reduced. Woods says the allowance will be considered in the budget; the Chair then moves to priority questions.
The Minister stated that this allowance was paid on the basis of the greatest need. Surely, the person who is in the greatest need of this allowance is a married daughter with a young family who is trying to care for an elderly parent in her home? I am sure she does not mind doing this work but it is work that should be recognised by the State. Would the Minister agree that it is now becoming more difficult to place elderly people in State care due to the massive cutbacks and due to the fact that the number of beds available in State homes has been reduced? Elderly parents have to be cared for by——
Comment on this
The payment of the prescribed relative allowance will be considered in the context of the budget.