Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 111 and 142 together.

The development of a national carers strategy is a key Government commitment in both the national partnership agreement Towards 2016 and the programme for Government. A working group chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach is working on developing the strategy. My Department provides the secretariat to the working group, which also includes representatives of the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Enterprise, Trade and Employment, as well as FÁS and the Health Service Executive.

Developing the strategy involves consultation with other Departments and bodies not represented on the working group. The Department has met with a wide range of organisations, including the Equality Authority, the Combat Poverty Agency, the Citizens Information Board, the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and the National Disability Authority. A request for submissions from the public was published in regional newspapers in early March. The closing date for submissions was Friday, 18 April. There was a good response from individuals and organisations and the submissions received are being examined.

Towards 2016 commits the Department to hosting an annual consultation meeting of carer representative groups and relevant Departments and agencies. Such a meeting was held on 23 January 2008. Representatives of 12 groups and nine Departments and bodies attended. The theme was the national carers strategy and groups were given an opportunity to comment on the draft terms of reference and to raise other issues considered relevant in the context of the strategy.

I was pleased to launch the report, Listening to Carers: Report on a Nationwide Carer Consultation, produced by the Carers Association in partnership with Caring for Carers Ireland and Care Alliance Ireland on 30 June this year. The issues raised in the report are being considered as part of the development of the strategy.

The commitment to the development of a national carers strategy also includes a commitment to appropriate consultation with the social partners. An update on the strategy was provided to the social partners' plenary session in February. The first of two consultation meetings with the social partners was held on 8 May. Key issues raised were recognition for carers and their work, access to suitable health services, income support, training, gender issues and balancing employment and care. We are working on bringing the carers strategy to completion.

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