James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The national carers strategy is led by the Department of Health. Many Departments, including my Department, have a role to play in its implementation. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the national policy framework for children and young people for 2014 to 2020, was launched in April 2014. One of the key policy priorities under outcome 5 - connected, respected and contributing to their world - is to ensure positive networks of family, friends and communities. Children and young people may experience difficulties maintaining friendships, education and employment due to the need for them to take on caring responsibilities within their families. This was recognised in the national youth strategy which I launched on 8 October 2015 for all young people aged between ten and 24 years. I am pleased that representatives of the Carers Association participated in the consultation process in the development of this strategy.

The Child and Family Agency Act 2013 brings together a range of existing services for children and families in one agency. Tusla's functions include maintaining and developing services to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children and support effective functioning of families. Tusla's child protection and welfare practice handbook provides guidance to social workers in working with young carers.

In terms of developing referral pathways to supports, the Meitheal methodology for early identification of need is a valuable aid. Tusla is working with the HSE to implement its actions under the national carers strategy implementation plan.

In addition, Tusla's educational welfare service has completed national guidelines as a practical support for schools in the preparation of school attendance strategies. The guidelines will assist schools to implement effective measures to support children at risk of poor attendance and participation, including those with caring responsibilities. They are being published and it is intended that they will be circulated to schools very shortly.

To learn more about children who undertake caring roles, my Department requested the Central Statistics Office to help to identify the extent to which children have caring responsibilities. Under the national strategy for research and data on children's lives, analysis of figures in the 2011 census will help to inform future policy as to how best to address the support needs of children and young people who undertake caring roles. This analysis will be published in early 2016.

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