Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

In respect of the carers issues raised in Questions Nos. 16 and 19, does the Minister agree that we must seriously value the carers in our society and be more supportive of them? I accept that we have moved in the right direction in recent years but the reality on the ground for many people is that there are still major problems. Does the Minister accept this reality? The Minister mentioned €220 million in support packages but we must acknowledge that this has saved the Exchequer approximately €2 billion.

We need a debate on the nursing homes issue as most elderly and disabled people do not want to find themselves in that situation. From talking to many different groups of elderly and disabled people, the preferred option is to live at home. Will the Minister examine the prospect of putting more supports in the home?

We must wake up to the reality that many young carers are in difficult situations. It is difficult and stressful work and these young people are not allowed to live out their childhoods. We must support them. The figure may be as low as 200 to 300 full-time carers. I accept the Minister's point that he does not want to pull these people out of the education system but we must target supports for them and the other 3,000 young people directly involved in caring. Will the Minister make these issues priorities when he goes to the Cabinet?

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