‘Give family carers a break’ – Funchion challenges rival Kilkenny TDs to back Dáil motion

A Kilkenny TD has challenged her constituency rivals to back her proposals “to stand up for family carers”.

A new motion by local Sinn Féin TD Deputy Kathleen Funchion to ensure carere “get the support they deserve” will be debated in the Dáil tomorrow.

Deputy Funchion said: “Carers have been abandoned by this Government for too long. It’s time to stand up for them and ensure they get the change they need.

“There are 500,000 family carers across Ireland who work unpaid hours to care for and support their loved ones. Current financial support is nowhere near enough. The Government has failed to listen to family carers and support them for years, but this has become even worse with the pandemic.

“Families have been left abandoned as important support services for their loved ones have shut. Many have had to effectively stay instead for the last year as they try to protect high-risk relatives from Covid-19. This has placed huge pressure on families and added to their stress.

“Last week, the scandal of the state compiling secret dossiers on children with autism and their families to use against them, highlighted for many family carers how the Government is completely out of touch and takes them for granted. This attitude cannot continue.”

The Kilkenny TD said she has spoken to many family carers who have shared their personal stories with her.

Deputy Funchion added: “They are exhausted and fed up of this Government sympathising with them but then continuing to take them for granted doing nothing to help them. Carers need more than just sympathy and nice words from politicians, they need action and they need it now.

“Sinn Féin’s motion stands up for carers and delivers the change they’re demanding through four key steps. Firstly, it commits the government to prioritising family carers in the Covid-19 vaccine roll out.

“Secondly, it gives family carers the financial support they need. This includes increasing eligibility criteria and payments of the Carer’s Allowance, extending Carer’s Benefit to the self-employed, helping family carers struggling with energy bills and guaranteeing other key financial supports that families need.

“Thirdly, it gives respite for family carers who are exhausted and need a break. It will ensure the resumption of Day Services which provide crucial support and relief for families, build up respite capacity including for overnights and create an Emergency Talk Therapy Fund.”

Deputy Funchion said her motion also demands “an immediate end to compiling and storing secret dossiers on children and their families using information gained by professionals and shared without parents’ consent. This appalling breach of trust was shameful and should never have happened.”

She conluded: “I am calling on all TDs from all parties and independents to back Sinn Féin’s motion and give family carers a break. Carers don’t need any more sympathy or kind words from politicians, they need us to act, stop taking them for granted and ensure they get the support they need. It’s time to stand up for family carers now.”