Mattie McGrath: Abolish Carers' Means Test & Fix Home Care
Mattie McGrath spoke in support of a motion on behalf of family carers in Tipperary and nationally, urging the Government to abolish the carers' means test and to improve home support and respite services. He said family carers number over 500,000 and save the state an estimated £20 billion annually, and described Budget 2025 income and disregard threshold increases as insufficient.
He praised family carers as unsung heroes who provide unwavering support and make personal and financial sacrifices, and complimented Councillor Richard Mullally and the manager of Tipperary Cares for their work supporting carers.
He criticised the existing means test as outdated and unjust because it disqualifies many carers from essential supports, and called for its abolition. While Budget 2025 increased income and disregard thresholds, he said those measures fall short of the comprehensive reform needed.
He noted that despite an allocation of £830 million for home support in 2025 there are still over 6,000 people languishing on a waiting list. He said the shortfall is not due to lack of funding but to recruitment and retention challenges in the sector, with approved home help often unable to be provided because there is nobody available to do the work.
He highlighted a report indicating that nearly three-quarters of carers have never received any former respite and called that situation totally unacceptable. He urged implementation of a minimum respite guarantee to provide much-needed relief and dignity for carers.
He concluded by urging the Government to abolish the means test, standardise pay across all care sectors, and ensure timely access to home support and respite services, arguing that carers deserve recognition, respect and robust support.
Support for carers in Tipperary and nationally
He praised family carers as unsung heroes who provide unwavering support and make personal and financial sacrifices, and complimented Councillor Richard Mullally and the manager of Tipperary Cares for their work supporting carers.
Means test and Budget 2025
He criticised the existing means test as outdated and unjust because it disqualifies many carers from essential supports, and called for its abolition. While Budget 2025 increased income and disregard thresholds, he said those measures fall short of the comprehensive reform needed.
Home support funding and waiting lists
He noted that despite an allocation of £830 million for home support in 2025 there are still over 6,000 people languishing on a waiting list. He said the shortfall is not due to lack of funding but to recruitment and retention challenges in the sector, with approved home help often unable to be provided because there is nobody available to do the work.
Respite services and a minimum guarantee
He highlighted a report indicating that nearly three-quarters of carers have never received any former respite and called that situation totally unacceptable. He urged implementation of a minimum respite guarantee to provide much-needed relief and dignity for carers.
Calls for pay standardisation and decisive action
He concluded by urging the Government to abolish the means test, standardise pay across all care sectors, and ensure timely access to home support and respite services, arguing that carers deserve recognition, respect and robust support.
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Transcript
I do want to support the motion in my constituency of Tipperary and indeed across the nation, family carers are the unsung heroes who provide unwavering support to their loved ones, often that grace personal and financial sacrifice to themselves. These carers, numbering over 500,000, save the state an estimated £20 billion annually. Just imagine that figure, £20 billion annually to their unpaid labour. Yet many are subjected to a means test that is both outdated and completely unjust, disqualifying them from essential supports. While Budget 2025 has increased the income and disregard thresholds, this measure falls short of the comprehensive reform needed. It is imperative that we move towards abolishing this means test. I want to compliment Councillor Richard Mullally, the manager of Tipperary Cares, and all the managers and all the carers, especially, that give them wonderful care. Furthermore, the issue of home support services remains pressing. Despite an education of £830 million for home support in 2025, there are still over 6,000 individuals languishing on a waiting list. Just think about it, 6,000 individuals languishing on a waiting list. Just make us believe. This shortfall is not due to the lack of funding, but stems from recruitment and retention challenges within the sector. But what we are doing to address the challenges, we are not doing very much. These challenges are going on now for a number of years. And why don't we do a job, you know, they are doing a good job here, but we need to have it rationalised, and have, you know, recruitment, and have staff. I regularly get calls now, and people know, every TD does as well, and they're approved for home help, and there's nobody to do. So it's a grand system to see we tick the box, and that's not acceptable. We must also address the dire need for respite services. A recent report indicates that nearly three-quarters of carers have never received any former respite. This is totally unacceptable. Implementing a minimum respite guarantee would provide much-needed relief to these dedicated individuals. We are currently not treating these carers with the dignity that they deserve. They are saving the state of fortune, and the state, in return, is abusing their goodwill by not providing them with any decent services. In conclusion, I urge the Government to take decisive action, abolish the means test for carers announced, standardise pay across all the care sectors, and ensure timely access to home support and respite services. Our care deserves recognition, respect, and robust support. Thank you, Deputy. I'm not getting it, unfortunately. Thank you. Deputy Healy Ray.