Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

If the Deputy cares to read that interview, which was printed on the day, she will see that I said I would not be recommending it. It arose in the context of a question about major improvements that had been made in the past five years, which led to the social welfare budget now hitting almost €20 billion. I pointed to the fact that there had been major increases in pensions, as well as changes to the hours lone parents can work, major increases in child benefit and the introduction of the new half-rate carers' scheme. The latter scheme is costing €57 million this year. As I indicated, all the social welfare supports for carers alone cost almost €650 million, and probably more this year.

The strategy is being co-ordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach and involves quite a number of Departments. My Department's interest is only from a payments perspective. Of more importance to many carers are health and respite supports, home help, access to education and training. All those elements are important for carers. Undoubtedly, the current economic situation has made it more difficult not only for my Department but also for the HSE and the Department of Health and Children to be able to set out what targets they will be able to meet within a particular time. Therefore we are currently examining the draft document that has been prepared in order to see where we can take it from here.

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