The announcement by Minister Heather Humphreys today that the carer's allowance income thresholds are to increase has been welcomed by Family Carers Ireland.
The organisation's regional manager for Leitrim, Longford, Midlands and the border counties of Cavan and Monaghan, Caroline Poole, told the Joe Finnegan Show this morning that it had been a "priority issue" for careers for some time now.
She says the next step is to ensure the evolution of the means test for family carers , part of which comes into effect today.
Ms Poole said it's the first time in 14 years that this has been increased.
And, it will have a positive impact on the lives of family carers across this region, she added.
"We have got so many people, particularly people in old age who have been saving for years," continued Ms Poole.
"Then their partner becomes ill and they claim the Carers Allowance.
"Then the money that they manged to scrimp and scrape together for many years so as to provide a little cushion for themselves is means tested.
"So, this development, in particular is very welcome."
