LIMERICK TD Willie O’Dea has published a new position paper which aims to give more support and assistance to carers.
The Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Social Protection and Social Equality believes carers play a vital role in our society, undertaking to look after an older person or person with a disability at a significantly reduced cost to the state.
The document published last week proposes a re-examination of the household benefits package, including the reconnection of a telephone line; changes to the prescription charge and the re-introduction of a mobility allowance or motorised transport grant.
The Limerick TD also proposes a call for resources collected from the property tax to be used at local level for schemes such as the housing adaptation grant; supports to be put in place to ensure that family carers with high essential water needs are catered for by any Irish Water charging scheme; and an examination of the possibility of placing home care services on a statutory basis.
