Catherine Rossiter (50), from Stillorgan in Dublin, is raising her son Eoghan and daughter Aoife, who were born premature at 27 weeks.
She is also a full-time carer for Aoife, who has a disability, but is ineligible for a number of supports like the Carer’s Allowance as she works full-time.
Ms Rossiter welcomed the €300 increase to the incapacitated child tax credit.
The tax credit is available to parents or guardians of children who are permanently incapacitated physically or mentally, or where there is a reasonable expectation the child will be unable to maintain themselves after they turn 18.
“That’s really good and it is a positive measure, because getting that credit is very difficult. It’s a small change that hits a small group, a very disadvantaged group of profoundly affected children and families,” she said.
While welcoming the increase, she said the tax credit could be changed to allow for a smaller credit to be given to people who wouldn’t qualify for the full amount, but have significant disabilities and care needs.
She also welcomed an increase in the Carer’s Support Grant from €1,850 to €2,000.
“That grant is very important for some families. They use it to take a break from their caring role so that is important,” she said.
As a full-time worker, Ms Rossiter will also benefit from changes to the USC, including a 1pc cut for earnings between €25,000 and €70,000.
“It is something, but with the overall costs, particularly with a child with a disability, it’s not a huge amount. There was more they could have done with respite and support hours. It’s not just money but that is a positive.”
Ms Rossiter said the Government should work towards providing more targeted supports for the most vulnerable, rather than introduce the same blanket measures for everybody.
The mother of two said more can still be done to help single parents, particularly in helping them enter or return to the workforce.
She suggested this could be done by incentivising employers to offer single parents more flexible working arrangements, perhaps through a grant or tax credit.
“I know so many mothers and fathers who would love to work but the nature of the workforce doesn’t allow for it. There has to be ways of looking at the labour force and doing something to incentivise employers or to help those people.”
Ms Rossiter who works while providing full-time care for her daughter said said it takes courage to broach the subject with employers about working and caring full-time, and many people providing full-time care need to be better supported to work.
“There’s a huge issue where you do get punished for doing the two [being a carer and full-time worker], that’s a real challenge.
“A lot of full-time carers might hide the fact they’re full-time because they don’t want an employer to think ‘well, you couldn’t possibly give me your best if you’re doing all that outside work’.
“There are so many people in caring roles or with children with disabilities who want to work, but there is very little being done to facilitate them.”
