Carers doctor-only visit card
Deputy Kenny asked when carers would receive doctor-only visit cards as promised in the programme for Government. The Taoiseach said the entitlement would apply to people receiving carers allowance, benefit or half-carers allowance and would require legislation before recess.
I know I am divine. The compliments are flying today.
There is a recognition in the programme for Government of the great work carers do in our society. As part of this, one of the things proposed is that carers, as a matter of entitlement and without means testing, would get the doctor only visit card. It has been reiterated a number of times in this House but it has not yet come forward. What is the timeframe for this to happen?
Comment on this
The commitment does not quite extend to all carers but to anyone in receipt of carers allowance, carers benefit or half-carers allowance. It was announced in the budget and requires primary legislation, which we expect to have before the recess so that we can implement it in the autumn.