Kilkenny councillors back motion that aims to ease rent burden on carers
The motion was carried at the latest plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council
A motion brought forward by Cllr Maria Dollard (GP) that aims to ease financial pressure on family carers living in Kilkenny County Council social housing has been passed at the most recent plenary meeting of Kilkenny County Council.
The motion called for an end to the practice of including full or half-rate carer’s allowance in rent calculations for local authority tenants, as well as the inclusion of disability allowance paid to children aged 16 to 18.
Cllr Dollard, a family carer herself, said the move was a practical step to support those caring for loved ones.
"Carers do not want sympathy or kind words, they want practical solutions to their challenges," she said.
"This motion will not solve all of the above problems but for the family carers who are tenants of Kilkenny County Council, it will send out a message that this council recognises their challenges and can provide practical support to ease their financial burden."
Cllr Maurice Shortall (Ind) backed the motion, stating: “It will make a big difference to a lot of people.”
Director of Services Mary Mulholland confirmed that a review of the rent scheme is scheduled for 2025 and that the Family Carers Ireland pre-budget submission would be acknowledged in that process.