John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy for raising this important issue. I am taking this Adjournment debate on behalf of the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton.

The programme for Government contains a commitment to "develop a national carers' strategy to support carers and address the issues of concern". It is important to clarify that there is not a completed draft carers strategy that is merely waiting for Government approval and ready for publication. The Government will consider how best to progress the development of the strategy, taking into account the prevailing economic realities and the work carried out previously.

As the Deputy will be aware, every Department is currently carrying out a comprehensive review of expenditure. That will help clarify the strategic priorities and the resources available within each Department. Following that, the Government will be in a position to best consider how to progress the development of the carers strategy.

A significant amount of work was done by the previous cross-departmental working group which was chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. The Departments of Finance, Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs as well as the Health Service Executive, HSE, and FÁS were represented on the group. The group met on six occasions during 2008 and the expertise of other Departments and agencies was drawn on as particular issues were being considered. Discussions were also held with colleagues in Northern Ireland. A wide-ranging consultation process was also undertaken which included a meeting with the social partners, two meetings with carer representative groups and a public consultation process.

While each of the themes set out in the terms of reference was examined in terms of the current position, because of the prevailing economic situation, it was not possible to agree future targets or time limits which could be achieved. The economic difficulties have intensified and mean that while the Government is committed to developing a strategy, it will not be easy. The strategy will have to be developed and implemented within the resources available, taking into account our IMF and EU commitments, as well the outcomes of the comprehensive review of expenditure.

I acknowledge the significant role played by carers in society and reiterate the commitment the Government has to providing appropriate support to both carers and those who are being looked after. The area of caring is a complex field involving a number of Departments. Becoming a carer can have implications for all aspects of a person's life from taxation to transport and from social welfare payments to accessing health services. Reflecting that, services and supports for carers are delivered by a variety of Departments and bodies. Many of the issues of most concern to carers are the responsibility of the Department of Health. The development of a strategy is important to carers but also other issues such as front line services and general supports for the disabled.

Carers play a significant and valuable role in the provision of care and support to older people and people with disabilities who may otherwise need care in a residential environment. It is our view that people should be encouraged and supported in their efforts to live healthy, fulfilling, independent lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. The model of care which favours facilitating people to reside in their own home and natural environment for as long as possible can only be achieved if the work of carers is valued and supported through health care supports and services made available at community level.

I reassure the Deputy that the Government is committed to continuing to provide a comprehensive range of services to support people in need of care. In particular, the Health Service Executive provides, for example, home care packages which can be delivered in partnership between the HSE and certain voluntary providers and can often include a respite element at local level. Other supports are provided through programmes such as meals-on-wheels, day care or home help. Every effort is made to make each service as flexible as possible to meet individual needs.

The aim of providing services is to meet people's needs through a variety of supports, which focus on a multidisciplinary approach to deliver services to people in their own homes as far as possible. While we are faced with a period of economic and fiscal challenges and we face a period of Exchequer consolidation and new social realities, I hope these supports will continue within the resources that are available at present. The Department of Health and the HSE are committed to continue providing the supports to allow people to remain in their homes as far as possible within the resources currently available.

The Department of Social Protection provides a number of income support payments on a weekly basis and will have a role in developing and implementing a strategy. Currently, more than 51,000 people get a carer's allowance payment from the Department. That includes more than 21,000 who receive a half-rate carer's allowance in addition to another payment. There are approximately 1,700 people in receipt of carer's benefit. In addition, more than 17,000 people who are not in receipt of a carer's allowance or benefit payment received the annual respite care grant of €1,700 this month.

The estimated expenditure for carers in 2011, including carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant is approximately €658 million. That does not include the household benefits package or free travel which carers also receive. It is not possible at this time to outline the contents of the strategy as it has not been drafted, but the commitment to develop a strategy during the lifetime of the Government is an important one. It will prompt all Departments to address the issues of concern for carers, some of which I have just mentioned.

Once again, I take the opportunity to acknowledge the significant role played by carers in society and reiterate the commitment the Government has given to providing appropriate support to carers and those who are being looked after. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue.

See this speech in context