A support group for people with intellectual disabilities has called on the Government to introduce a non-means tested payment for all full-time carers in the forthcoming Budget.
Inclusion Ireland says the move makes economic sense and would ultimately save the Government money.
Chairwoman Finula Garrahy explains that the cost of a full non-means tested carer's allowance, so a person can staying living with their family, is currently €11,000 per annum.
"The cost of residential care is a minimum of €70,000 per annum. In monetary terms there is no comparison, and the benefit of staying in the family home is immeasurable," she said.
In its pre-Budget submission published today, the group also called for an urgent review of how services for people with intellectual disabilities are funded.
To ensure people with intellectual disabilities are included Irish society, the Government needed to make "brave changes" to the current funding arrangements, chief executive Deirdre Carroll said.
A series of innovative measures to provide supported living and respite services were the chief priority, she said.
Inclusion Ireland want to see a complete transfer of people with an intellectual disabilities from psychiatric hospitals back into the community. It also wants national standards for disability services to be established.