Ms Rosaleen Doonan:

Everyone on this side of the table knows they reason why such support is not provided. It is not because members do not want to help carers. I know from talking to them that they want to help because they have all had experience of this matter at some stage. The reason support is not provided is due to the position carers occupy within governmental structures. They do not, for example, fall within the remit of either the Department of Health or the Department of Social Protection. That is where the real problem lies. The Ministers for Health and Social Protection do not have responsibility for them and neither does any other Minister. They fall between stools.

Mr. Caughey and I have discussed this matter and we are of the view that if there were a Minister of State with responsibility for carers or a senior official with a dedication to family carers, we would not be discussing this matter.