John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The other supports for carers - the carer's allowance, the carer's benefit, the half-rate carer's allowance, the domiciliary care allowance and the disability allowance - were all untouched by the budget. In very difficult circumstances over the past two years, this Government has had to make difficult decisions and reassess priorities. In the face of enormous economic pressures, the Government has chosen to continue supporting carers to the maximum extent possible. We have retained the half-rate carer's allowance, which I know is of great value to carers, both financially and in what it represents. We have retained the respite care grant, although at a reduced rate, including for people who do not otherwise qualify for other income supports. We have retained the principle of paying the grant in respect of each person being cared for.

This year, the expenditure on carers in the Department of Social Protection is in excess of €771 million: €509 million on carer's allowance, €24 million on carer's benefit, €135 million on the respite care grant and €103 million on domiciliary care allowance. This represents an increase of almost €20 million on expenditure in 2011. The weekly carer's allowance payment is almost 20% higher this year than in 2006 and more than 147% higher than in 1997. We have approximately 55,000 carers in receipt of carer's allowance or benefit and 26,000 in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance.

A number of Members referred to delays in processing applications for carer's allowance. While I acknowledge that current processing times are unacceptable, measures are being taken to address the issue. At the end of November 2012, there were about 9,000 claims awaiting decision. Following the completion of a major IT modernisation project, an in-depth business process improvement project was completed for the carer's allowance scheme. This project focused on improving output and customer service and the reduction of backlogs. A total of 14 additional staff were assigned to assist with the backlog and the processing of new claims. Implementation of the plan commenced on Monday, 3 September 2012 and is being closely monitored and managed to ensure it achieves its objectives. A noted increase in the number of new claims processed has been achieved in recent months where claims processed have substantially exceeded claim intake. However, it will take a number of months before the backlog is reduced to an acceptable level.

The national carers strategy sets out a vision to work towards an ambitious set of national goals and objectives to guide policy development and service delivery so as to ensure carers feel valued and supported to manage their caring responsibilities with confidence and are empowered to have a life of their own outside of caring.

The strategy also contains a road map for implementation, which outlines the actions that will be taken to deliver on the goals and objectives of the strategy. The road map also outlines the timelines and the Department with responsibility for their implementation. Each Department will produce an annual report on progress, which will be published on its website. A progress report on the overall implementation of the strategy will be produced on a periodic basis over the lifetime of the strategy and presented to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. Each Department has appointed a senior official to take responsibility for its actions and for the provision of ongoing up-dates to the Cabinet committee.

The Government continues to face a daunting challenge in repairing the economy and the public finances. Difficult decisions are still required. As we have shown in budget 2013 we are committed to meeting this challenge, and are determined that through good government we will lead Ireland back to independent funding and back to sustainable growth in living standards and in employment. We are facing the future in a positive light. We have seen a total transformation in only 12 months. Today, markets and foreign lenders are lending once again to Ireland and to Irish businesses. This will help our businesses and our economy to continue its path to recovery. This was the context in which the Government took the hard decisions in the budget.

The Government has a vision for carers, a vision of an Ireland which recognises and respects the valuable role of carers in society by providing them with support, where necessary, to assist them in their caring role and to enable them to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life. This is our vision, and is what guides us.

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