Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Why did the Government fail to prioritise the national carers strategy and meet its commitment in the social partnership agreement, Towards 2016, and in the programme for Government, which was only decided six months ago? It promised the carers strategy would be developed by the end of 2007. There are 27 days remaining and the Minister has made it clear this commitment will not be met. Will the Minister guarantee that the strategy will be published by summer of next year? Will specific commitments be made and quantified in terms of cost? This is what carers groups want. They do not necessarily want a glossy book to launch the strategy but set timeframes.

Will there be a focus on young carers as part of the national carers strategy? This is of concern to everyone. I do not expect the Minister to tell me what will be in the budget tomorrow but maybe he can give us a taste of whether the commitments made to carers in the programme for Government, such as the increases in eligibility, the doubling of the means test respite care grant and the extension of the fuel allowance, will be met?

See this speech in context