Lung transplant survivor hits out at carer grant cut
Brendan McLaughlin from Stranorlar. Photo Brian McDaid.0612bd126
Ireland’s longest-surviving lung transplant patient has criticised the government’s proposed cut to the Respite Care Grant.
Cystic fibrosis sufferer Brendan McLaughlin has hit out at cuts in the Budget which he says will mean hardship on the most vulnerable in the country.
The Ballybofey man has also criticised an increase on prescription charges which he says will see himself and his mother pay an extra �30 a month for medication. He requires up to ten prescriptions each month to boost his immune system and control his blood pressure.
Mr. McLaughlin, who is chair of the Donegal Branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Association, received his lung transplant more than 20 years ago and had a kidney transplant nine years later. He said the reduction in the respite allowance, which will be cut from �1,700 by �320, was an attack on carers.
“If the government keeps up on cuts to carers, many of the people being cared for will end up in hospital full time and that will increase costs. Yet these people want to be at home. The cut to the respite grant will affect carers who look after sick relatives. They are family members who have challenging problems and a working day for these people is often 24 hours with little breaks. Putting it simply, those carers will simply burn out.”
Read more in today’s Donegal Democrat.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Donegal
Wednesday 19 June 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: South
