Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I agree with Deputy Finian McGrath that there are still problems in respect of carers and the distance to be travelled. We have managed to make substantial improvements but I intend to keep up that pressure. I acknowledge that carers save the taxpayer funds, which is one of the reasons carer's allowance was started in the first place, namely, to encourage people to be cared for at home to keep the pressure off the formal system. Apart from this, research has shown that it is better for the individual.

The Deputy asked about long-term care issues, on which the Tánaiste recently spoke and announced a number of initiatives. She and I are working together on a group dealing with long-term care with the clear objective of leaving as many people at home as possible, expanding home care programmes and trying to augment them so people do not need to go into institutions. That is the way forward and she and I are working on that. I note what the Deputy said about young carers and I replied to that point earlier in response to Deputy Stanton.

Deputy Cowley asked who cares for the carers. I met the Carers Association some time ago. It pointed out that a strategy for carers is needed and I accept this and will have further discussions with the group on that. Allowances are supposed to be income support rather than remuneration for carers, who have much stress and pressure. If we are to develop the carers system we must find ways to give the carer a break, not just through respite care breaks but by developing the carer's professionalism and the carer support system. The better the carer is, the better the care given to the person who needs it. I accept we must continue to make improvements in that area.

The Deputy's final point referred to community and voluntary groups and it will never be a case of choosing between these groups and the State. There is a clear role for the State through its health and welfare service and there is a case for community and voluntary groups to lead reform where it is needed. Many reforms in this House have come from proposals and suggestions of community and voluntary groups. Many of the improvements to the welfare system referred to today are a direct result of representations, research and campaigning by voluntary and community groups. These groups, dealing with people every day, are able to raise the matter and it is often resolved at a formal level in this House. Formal State services and community and voluntary services must co-exist because one needs the other.

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