Hanafin criticised over mooted cut in carer's allowance

CARER’S ORGANISATIONS have reacted with alarm to suggestions that allowances may be reduced as a result of Government cutbacks.

Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin told a Sunday newspaper that carers would be an “obvious target” of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes, better known as An Bord Snip Nua, which is currently looking at all areas of Government expenditure.

In an interview with the Sunday Business Post, Ms Hanafin singled out the half-rate carer’s allowance which allows those in receipt of a widow’s or state pension to claim half a carer’s allowance payment.

Some 15,000 carers receive the €110 a week payment which costs the State €80 to €90 million a year.

Ms Hanafin said the scheme, which was introduced two years ago, has ended up being “quite costly”.

“But it’s a sign that, when we had the money, we gave it to as many people as possible,” she said.

The Carers Association said it fielded more calls from its members in relation to the Minister’s comments than it did during the furore over the withdrawal of the automatic entitlement to medical cards for those over 70.

Association chief executive Enda Egan said cutting the allowance could be a “serious hot potato” for the Government.

“We have never seen a response in our organisation before. We would advise them to steer well away from this,” he said.

Mr Egan said it would be an “absolute disgrace” to cut allowances to carers who save the State €2.5 billion a year which otherwise would have to be spent in the health service.

He said the half-rate allowance was introduced two years ago as a recognition that carers often incurred costs in terms of energy, food and transport and that they were saving the State considerable sums of money.

“You can’t give money to somebody and take it away again. Family carers who are in receipt of carer’s allowance are close to the poverty line,” he said.

“This group of people is saving the State money. They are a national resource. They must be protected rather than take a measly few pounds off people which is going to be reflected in their standard of living.”

Age Action said any attempt to cut the carer’s allowance would be contrary to Government policy to keep people in the community, and out of acute hospitals and full-time residential care.

“It would hit some of our most vulnerable people and would fly in the face of Government commitments to protect this section of society,” said Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Social and Family Affairs said no decision had been made in relation to any cutbacks and the Minister was not recommending them, but the department did have to make savings and could not do so out of its administration budget which was only 3 per cent of its total expenditure.