A Sligo Leitrim TD says the means test on the carers allowance needs to be relaxed as part of the solution to our health crisis.
Fianna Fail TD Marc MacSharry says there are a number of measures that need to be urgently considered by government in order to address the problems including waiting lists and high trolley figures.
Speaking in the Dail he said capacity is a key issue as outlined numerous times by consultants in this region.
But equally he says relaxing means tests for carers would help people looking after relatives at home:
