Fine Gael leader Mr Michael Noonan has promised to raise the carer’s allowance to €470 per week if his party is returned to government at the next election.
Speaking during a visit to a senior citizen’s building project in Ballincollig in Cork, Mr Noonan outlined Fine Gael’s policy on the elderly and said his main priorities included:
- raising the income threshold for carer's allowance, (to €470)
- paying half rate carer's allowance to carers already in receipt of social welfare benefits
- putting in place a minimum guarantee of two weeks respite care for all full time carers
The Fine Gael leader also said his party plans to introduce a Continuous Care Grant ranging from €950 to €2500 per year depending on the care need. He said that the grant would not be means tested and would be made payable to the person in care.