A Dublin carer has said that today's Budget announcement showed his worth 'is not valued by the government'.
Bernard Mulvany from Access for All Ireland said that he is infuriated that the budget did not do enough for carers worried about surviving the current cost of living crisis. He said: "It's shocking. When it comes to carers. The one-off payments are welcome for families that are struggling but they are just going to soften the blow until January comes. Then you're straight back into it once again.
"The social welfare payment for carers is up €12. That brings us up to €237 a week. I would really challenge anyone in this current economic climate with the cost of living and everything to survive on that a week.
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"It doesn't even cover the mortgage. The government have a report online that says that people with disabilities need between €9 and €11,000 more just to get by before. That was last Christmas before the Ukraine crisis, before inflation and all that kind of stuff.
"As a carer, your worth isn't being valued. Your caring is not valued in this society by government. Your only worth in their eyes is €237 a week. That's seven day of work and they are saying get on with it. That's what you get to care. You'll get a couple of quid towards the electricity each month and bus pass which half the time you can't use.
"It just infuriates me. It's an insult to the caring community in the worst cost of living crisis in 50 years. You'd go out on a Saturday night and you'd spend €250. They are asking families to survive on €237 a week."
Bernard's daughter Sophia, told Dublin Live at Saturday's cost of living crisis protest that she feels she is being robbed of her future. In a striking address to the protestors, she said: "I am 12 years old. I want to ask the adults in the crowds, did you know what a housing crisis, climate crisis, health crisis and a cost of living crisis was?
"Well, I do. As do most of my friends. I know some children who have to call a hotel room a home or a hub a home.
"I know of children who can't visit loved ones because it is too expensive to put fuel in the car. Who's parent can't afford to put food on the table. Who's parent's sometimes go without food just to feed their children."
"When I talk to my granny and grandad, they tell they have never seen it so bad. They have never seen people asleep in tents on the street and they wonder how has this been allowed happen.
"If things are just getting worse, imagine how hard it will be when I am older and trying to provide for myself. If we stay this way, you are robbing me and lots of young people of their future."
We want to hear your views on the Budget. Are you happy with these additional payments and will they help you during the cost of living crisis? Or are you still worried about making ends meet this winter? Let us know in the comments below.
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