Family Carers receive "slap in the face" in Budget 2011

The Carers Association is appalled that all the assurances they received from back bench TDs that the Carers Allowance would not be touched in the

Budget have come to nought. Family Carers who look after their loved ones in the home save the State an estimated EUR2.8 billion per year.

In return Carers received EUR212.00 per week, which in most cases barely

enabled them to make ends meet. This latest cut of 4%, EUR8.48 per week,

will have a real impact on the welfare of a very substantial proportion of

family carers, already finding it difficult to meet everyday bills like heat

and electricity, essential to maintaining the well-being of their loved

ones.

"The Government has reneged on its promise to protect the most vulnerable in our society by hitting Family Carers, for whom a cut of 4% is the enormous

amount of EUR440.96 per year" says Enda Egan, CEO, The Carers Association.

"This goes against the stated Government policy to provide care for older

people and people with disabilities in the home for as long as possible. It

is another case of a massive chasm between Government policy and practice, a gap that has widened in each of the last three budgets" concluded Egan.

The Carers Association is the National voluntary organisation of family

carers in the home, providing support services, respite, training and

information to carers throughout Ireland. The Carers Association can be

contacted on the National Careline Freefone 1800 24 07 24 or see

www.carersireland.com.