Any cuts in the carers allowance in the forthcoming Budget would be a false economy, the Carers Association said today.
In its pre-budget submission, the organisation called on the Government to urgently review income supports for family carers and implement the committed National Carers Strategy, which is now 10 months overdue.
Ireland's family carers are the biggest contributors to Ireland's social economy, saving the state over €2.5 billion each year by contributing three million hours of work per week caring for loved ones at home who may be frail, in bad health or who have severe disabilities, according to the Carers Association chief executive Enda Egan.
He warned that if carers are not adequately supported in the upcoming Budget they will, out of financial necessity, be forced to give-up their caring work.
"There is no question but the most cost-effective option for the State is to support the work of family carers in the home as opposed to the state providing full-time institutional care," he said.
"Therefore, it makes financial sense for Government to implement our key recommendations in budget 2009. This will allow Government adhere to its own policy of caring for people in the home for as long as possible."
The association is calling for the implementation of four key priorities in the Budget.
They want an increase in the carers allowance and PRSI contributions for carers on the same basis as paid contributions, thereby ensuring their pension entitlements.
They also want family carers to be permitted to work up to 19.5 hours a week, in addition to their caring role and still be eligible for Carers Allowance. Finally, they are calling for family carers to receive full Carers Allowance in respect of each person they care for.
Current policy only allows a maximum of one and a half Carers Allowances, even if the carer is providing full-time care for two or more people.