Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Employment Affairs and Social Protection Willie O’Dea says his party has a package of measures that will deliver for carers and people with disabilities.
Deputy O’Dea said, “The reality is that Fine Gael has very little in its manifesto for people with disabilities and carers and is trying to disguise this by attacking Fianna Fáil. In contrast, we have a range of measures, including extending the Free Travel Scheme to children in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance; reversing the mean-spirited cut that Fine Gael made to the Rehabilitative Training Allowance; an increase in the income disregard and capital disregard for those in receipt of Carers Allowance and a commitment to have a Minister of State for Disability within the Department of the Taoiseach.
“Furthermore, Fianna Fáil has committed to increasing the Home Carer Tax Credit from €1,600 to €2,000, while Fine Gael has only promised a €50 increase. We have also committed to boosting funding for housing adaptation grants by €20m; the Fine Gael manifesto contains no specific commitment.
“Fine Gael is desperately trying to deflect from their unimaginative and uninspiring manifesto by attacking Fianna Fáil. Our package of policies for people with disabilities and carers are costed and achievable and will make a real and tangible difference to people’s lives”.
