By now, the Taoiseach will know Ms Cara Darmody from Ardfinnan, County Tipperary. She is presenting in the audiovisual room as we speak. She has three simple requests. First, carers of children with special needs should not be charged for assessments and such assessments should be addressed under the national treatment plan. Second, the carer's allowance should not be means-tested. Carers work for €1.34 per hour. Third, an independent oversight body should be set up to examine the many cases where young people and their parents have been denied services. I believe the Taoiseach has met her. Most of the party leaders have. She is presenting in the audiovisual room. She is only 12 years of age and is sitting her leaving certificate maths exam in a fundraising effort to support families – not her own – with special needs children. She has two special needs brothers.

I thank the Deputy. We are always examining ways in which we can support carers better. As the Deputy is aware, there have been increases in the carer's allowance. We have relaxed the means test, provided free GP care to all carers, expanded respite services and so on. I cannot make any particular comment on the particular requests being made now. I will have to confer with the line Ministers on those. As a Government, though, we are very committed to improving the financial and other supports that surround family carers.