Families of people with dementia are calling on government to increase the Carer's Allowance amid the cost of living crisis.
A report from the Alzeimher Society of Ireland has compiled the experiences of family carers across the country. The charity said that calls to their helpline have increased as carers report worsening financial situations.
The findings showed that 55 per cent of carers struggled to make ends meet as inflation spikes. A further one fifth were forced to cut back on household essentials due to the crisis, while a small percentage reported falling into mortgage arrears.
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Dr Nikki Dunne of Family Carers Ireland said: "Amid a worsening cost of living crisis, the situation is sadly becoming bleaker. It is not good enough that many family carers receive payments which fall well short of the established minimum essential standard of living."
The ASI is calling on the government to include all carers in the provision of a €200 once off payment, which will be granted to long term social welfare recipients this April. A carer aged under 66 who cares for one individual is currently entitled to €236 per week.
The group welcomed one off payments introduced for carers under Budget 2023 but argued that additional support was needed as costs spiral. The report highlighted the financial challenges faced by 129 family carers in Ireland.
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