The body representing Ireland’s 150,000 family carers has today criticised the Department of Social Welfare’s delay in processing Carer’s Benefit.
The Carers Association claimed that the delay could have been prevented and has urged the Department to solve the situation quickly.
“While we welcome the increase in the Carer’s Benefit payment from 15 to 24 months, the current delay in payments is unacceptable and very disappointing,” said Carers Association CEO Enda Egan.
“Family carers are a very vulnerable sector of our society and it is not fair that they are now being asked to see their community welfare officers because the Department did not ensure their payments could be processed on time.
“This change in the Carer’s Benefit was announced in the last Budget in December and the necessary resources should have been put in place to effectively administer this payment.
“Pro-active measures could easily have been implemented to avoid the current situation and the Department should have kept family carers fully informed.
“I believe some carers are waiting on payments since April. This is totally unacceptable and brings even more pressure to bear on family carers who, by the very nature of their caring role, are already under enormous stress.”