‘A motion that causes emotion’

An issue, which “goes to the heart of who we are”, was raised at the June meeting of Cavan County Council.

Cllr Niamh Brady (FG) proposed a motion asking that income restrictions be removed from the Carer’s Allowance. Although, she acknowledged the “significant difference” to the allowance, which was announced as part of Budget 2026.

At the beginning of next month the weekly income disregard will increase from €625 to €1,000 for a single person, and from €1,250 to €2,000 for carers who are part of a couple. While she said this will “ease the burden”, she believes the government “must go further” for carers by “scrapping” the means test.

Cllr Brady pointed out how these people are often caring 24 hours per day, and she said they “save the state millions of euros”.

She praised former Minister Heather Humphreys who “pushed the system towards greater fairness”.

Independent Ireland’s Shane P O’Reilly described the topic as “a motion that causes emotion” for families, and some councillors at the meeting had relayed going through the process with their own family members.

While he gave his full support, he also requested that the “tick box exercise” - the need to provide 24-hour care as part of the application for carer’s allowance - “needs to be withdrawn”.

He said “people have to tell a lie” in order to qualify for the allowance, and the reality is, if you state you p rovide care for 16 hours per day, “your application will be null in void.”

Cllr O’Reilly again requested that the need for twenty-four-hour care be excluded from the application, and reminded the councillors that weekly fees in local nursing homes are anything from €1,100 to €1,900 per week.

Cllr Brady supported this addition to her motion.

In supporting the motion, Cllr Trevor Smith (FG) said people who are caring for a loved one “shouldn’t be penalised” based on their incomes. While, Cllr Damien Brady (SF) described the motion as “very worthy” and he praised the “Trojan work” done by carers.

Cllr Carmel Brady (FG) also supported the motion, and said they are “going through” the process now with her own mother, where hours have been allocated, however carers are not available.

While Cllr Adrian Rogers said the motion is “long overdue” with carers “not getting what they save the state”.

Cllr Winston Bennett (FG) supported the motion and added how “carers don’t be half thanked”.

Support also came from Cllrs Patricia Walsh (FF), Áine Smith (FF), Clifford Kelly (FF), Niall Smith (FF), Philip Brady (FF), and Cllr John Paul Feeley (FF), the latter highlighting the “commitment” to phasing out the means test during the lifetime of this Government.