Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

I have examined the research in question by Barnardos and the Children's Research Centre, which was published in September 2004. I was struck that of the estimated 3,000 young carers providing care, more than 300 aged between 15 and 17 provide full-time care. It is clear this group needs appropriate supports.

The Barnardos report recommended that further research should be undertaken on numbers of young carers, the supports available to them, their needs and the impact of their caring role on their education and general development; policy relating to young carers should be a matter for the Department of Health and Children with services being delivered by the Health Service Executive; the physical and sensory database should record cases where significant care responsibility is being undertaken by a young carer; care supports should be provided where families rely on young carers to enable them to participate fully in their studies, social life and social contacts with their peers; emotional and psychological support should be made available to young carers; pilot schemes should be established to see how services could be best developed; and a public awareness programme and an information campaign directed at health, education and social services professionals should be undertaken.

Special help, advice and support is essential for young carers who are often caring for a parent and, in particular, that services must be put in place to support the household and to ensure young carers remain at school. These include the services of home helps, public health nurses and home care packages generally, which are a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. The report of the long-term care working group is being considered by the Government. This group was established by the Minister for Health and Children and me in January 2005 to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care. It comprises senior officials of the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and my Department. My officials have brought the issue of young carers to the attention of the working group.

Supports for carers from my Department include the respite care grant and the carer's allowance. The respite care grant, which is an annual payment for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention, is payable from age 16. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but it is subject to certain qualifying conditions. The value of the grant will increase from €1,000 to €1,200 from June 2006. Carer's allowance, which provides income support to people who are providing certain older people or people with a disability with full-time care and attention and whose incomes fall below a certain limit, is payable from age 18.

I am always prepared to consider changes to existing arrangements where these are for the benefit of recipients and financially sustainable within the resources available. I will continue to review the issues raised by Barnardos and the Children's Research Centre and other bodies representing carers and I will strive to bring forward proposals that recognise the valued and valuable contribution of all carers in a tangible way.

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