EDITORIAL: It’s on the system to reach out and help people who need it

If you were struggling to care for a loved one and make ends meet at home, would you know where to go for support?

A motion from the July meeting of Tipperary County Council was revisited this week which may highlight a need for more awareness of supports for carers.

A number of councillors asked that the Carers’ Allowance and the Working Family Payment be excluded from assessments of council rent.

The housing section was not in favour. One point made by the Director of Services, Sinead Carr, was that only 12 carers have availed of the council’s hardship support in two and a half years.

While on the whole, Cllr Richie Molloy accepted the housing section’s argument, he did point out that many people may not know the hardship scheme exists and, therefore, could not have availed of it.

Councillors raise their constituents’ problems, and are told there are supports and schemes available.

Which begs the question, what is the council doing to ensure people are aware of the supports available? If the answer is “get in touch, and we can advise you further,” then there is much work to be done.

Councils and other State organisations can be intimidating for vulnerable people. They may not mean to be, but there is a considerable power imbalance between the people operating the system and those who are subject to it.

If that is not accounted for, then lots of people may be left to suffer in silence. And that starts with providing people with information in an accessible way.

It’s uncomfortable to think that someone might be frightened to come to us, especially when we feel like we are doing good work. But that good work never ends.

As journalists, we navigate situations where people are distrustful of us, and we have to acknowledge our influence and privilege. It is on us to reach out, keep the door open and initiate engagement. And it’s on the council too.

Because if not, they are left with under reported struggles and a lot of suffering.