Fianna Fáil general election candidate, and local councillor, Teresa Costello, says the Fianna Fáil manifesto shows the value and respect the party has towards carers and the work that they do. Costello, who has great admiration and is a constant voice for carers across her constituency has said, the abolition of the means test is a necessity.
“Fianna Fáil recognises the important and relentless work that carers do, and we have outlined that in our manifesto. “We are the party that introduced the carers allowance and half-rate carers allowance, and most recently increased the rate of payments and income disregards. Fianna Fáil is passionate about the work carers do, and we want to implement a range of measure to continue supports for them.
One of the measures proposed by the party in our manifesto is the allocation of €600m to increase the income disregards to qualify for the Carer’s Allowance, with a view to abolishing the means test over the term of the next government.
Costello said: “The proposal of the abolition of the means test for carers is a necessity. I am hearing people who should qualify for carers just do not apply for the allowance as they feel they will be over the threshold for it. “This is long overdue; the means test is a barrier to people who are giving up their lives and saving the state money to look after their loved ones. “The least they deserve is to be entitled to the Carer’s Allowance, and not have to jump through the hoops of means testing to get it!” she said.
The steps Fianna Fáil has taken since 2020 have made a difference, but we want to go further. By taking action on these proposals, will enable us to move forward, together.
