Family carers tell TDs of budget fears

Family carers from the Longford/Westmeath constituency met with Peter Kelly T.D. and Mary O"Rourke T.D. in the Longford Arms Hotel earlier this week. The purpose of the meeting, which was organised by the local branch of the Carers" Association, was to lobby the elected representatives in Government.Carers from Delvin, Castlepollard and Mullingar, Longford, Granard and Edgeworthstown spoke of the devastating impact that would be brought about if cuts to carers" payments were introduced in the imminent mini-budget.Introducing the meeting, Caroline Poole briefly pointed out that family carers are already saving the State in excess of €2.5 billion every year. She also highlighted the fact that carers are already at a loss due to the reduction in services brought about by cuts to the H.S.E. budget.Family carers asked for the Government to consider the work being done before they make any cuts to payments. They emphasised that the Government 'have carers over a barrel - they know that carers will always care and that they are not going to walk away'.Carers pointed out that it is Government Strategy to keep people in their homes and that it should be made easier for carers to keep people at home by providing appropriate supports and services. Carers stressed the importance of keeping, indeed increasing, allowances saying that it has taken years to raise payments from a zero, unacceptable level to the point they are at and to lose ground at this stage would be devastating for them. Carers want the National Carers Strategy back on the table and said that recommendations made in the Strategy should be implemented.Mary O"Rourke assured the gathering that Minister Mary Hannifin is committed to returning to the Strategy when there is an upturn in the economy. Caroline Poole welcomed this pledge saying that the Strategy is a plan, a road map for the way forward for carers. She stressed the importance of forward planning in all areas of life and pointed out that carers need to be included in this process. Both Peter Kelly and Mary O"Rourke promised to raise the issues made by carers at a Parliamentary Meeting planned for the following day. Carers concluded by asking Government to respect them and the work they do - and not to take anything away from them.