Powerful case made for family carers in Tipperary
Family Carers Ireland
Access to services and provision of support for the most vulnerable in society are the objectives of the Family Carers’ network in Clonmel.
The desire and determination among Clonmel and south Tipperary carers to bring about progress on those issues was clearly evident to Minister for Justice Helen McEntee last Thursday when she visited Clonmel.
Minister McEntee could not have listened to two more powerful advocates for carers as eleven-year-old Cara Darmody and Sandra Gibbons.
“Caring for somebody is the most important thing you can do,” said Cara.
Sandra Gibbons, who cares for 16-year-old Daniel who is autistic and has Down Syndrome, stressed that more support was needed from Government in many areas.
She told Minister McEntee that the most vulnerable significantly regressed because various crucial therapies were not available and because services and support were so infrequent.
“In many cases it is the children with the highest needs that are being excluded,” she told Minister McEntee.
“There are serious issues with the Respite Grant. The €1,850 is being used by most families to pay for heating oil, bills or essential therapies. It is a myth that the money is being used to go on holidays,” he said.
He also emphasised that carers are the only profession that does not statutorily receive annual leave or respite, and he called for this to change.
Finally, Cllr Molloy emphasised that Carers’ Allowance should not be means tested as there was no provision for the immense costs imposed on caring households.
Minister McEntee said she hoped the opening of the new office represented a continuation of the wonderful work being done on behalf of carers over the last 22 years.
Family Carers was a wonderful organisation, said Minister McEntee and she pledged her continued support for the organisation.