Tessa Carr’s letter on this subject certainly rang a bell. The people she did not mention, however, were those who care tirelessly for loved ones at home. Regular “breaks” are essential, especially for older carers (sole carers, as many of them are), pensioners on a limited income, paying a small fortune to one of the private residential homes or hospitals for a week’s stay for their sick relative.

St Vincent de Paul’s Respite Centre is adequate but in a rather depressing old building. Nine years ago, when my husband took ill, I was told that a new respite centre, in the grounds of St Vincent de Paul, was in the pipeline.

I also asked Lawrence Gonzi about it prior to the previous election. Taken for a ride again!

Might I suggest that the miserable 15 per cent deduction in income tax, for fees paid, be raised to 50 per cent? That I would consider ‘recognition’, for an often thankless task.