Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank all the Deputies for their contributions. I also thank them for their positive ideas and constructive comments. This is an important Bill and it is a step in the right direction. Equally, I acknowledge that we have a lot to do for carers, and I intend to do a lot more for carers. I wish to address some of the points raised by Deputies. Deputy Stephen Donnelly talked about extending the scheme and I am open to that. Extending home supports and issues like that are something we should look at in the future. The figure of €2.8 million or €3 million was mentioned. From my research, the figure that we would realistically be looking at is approximately €6 million. That is the ballpark figure. We acknowledge the step we have taken, but we have to put in more supports. I take that valid point. That is something we should look at in the budgetary process, and it is something I will drive forward.

Deputy Michael Moynihan rased important issues regarding respite and carer's holiday cover. That is an issue I have heard about as well. I am determined to work with the Department of Health and the HSE on this issue.

Deputy John Brassil raised the issue of GP contracts, which is an important part of this debate. We have to move on in those negotiations. The Deputy also raised the issue of home care packages, particularly focusing on community healthcare organisation, CHO 7, where there seems to be a problem with palliative care. Again, I will work with my colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE, as well as the Minister for Health on that particular area. I will also address gaps in any other areas as well.

Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin was supportive of the Bill. He rightly said that it was a step but that we need to make more progress. I take that criticism, and I welcome his support for carers in society at large. I also take his point on the amendment. I know it was ruled out of order, but that is a live debate and something we have to drive for the future. I strongly believe in what the Deputy said about the principle of full transition to a national health service. We either believe in Sláintecare or we do not, and that is something I will push for within government.

A point was raised on those acting in loco parentis. Since our meeting at the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality I have put that question to my Department. I have my own views on that. We have to review it but I will come back to the Deputy with a more detailed answer, because the last response he received was in April or May. I put it the issue to my Department them after the committee meeting. Like the Deputy, many parents and family members have come to me about problems arising from the in loco parentis debate.

Deputy Willie Penrose was supportive of the Bill. He is not here now. He has been pushing for the interests of carers in this House for many years.

He has been a champion of carers. I commend his work and I wish him well in retirement. Of course, I accept the valid criticism that we need to do more, but I emphasise this is a step in the right direction for starters. He also mentioned he will introduce a carer's need assessment Bill and I look forward to that in September.

Deputy Paul Murphy supported the Bill but, like many speakers, he felt it should be broadened. He also paid tribute to the home helps and pointed out housing issues with regard to residential centres. I remind colleagues that I announced €14 million last week for housing adaptation grants, a €2 million increase on last year's figure. Despite 83 press releases, it was not mentioned in any newspaper or media organisation. Good news does not travel.

Deputy Broughan mentioned the carer's half rate. I can confirm the GP card will be there. He also mentioned those aged over 70. I welcome the support of Deputy Michael Collins. As he said, we have to do more for carers and home help. He strongly emphasised that when we are dealing with health services there should be accountability for the amount of money being spent. I accept that and it is something I focus on every day as Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae spoke about home help, the physical issue of hoists and medical cards, and we need to develop on these.

It is a pity Deputy Mattie McGrath is not in the Chamber because I want to remind him my job is to deal with disability and carers as Minister of State and I am here. I try to push the agenda very strongly.

Deputy Róisín Shortall raised a number of important points and I welcome her comments. I did state the Bill is a small measure and a step in the right direction. I recognise the point she made on training. I accept that we need training for carers. On that issue, I was in Sligo recently where I met a group of young social care students who will come into the system next year. That is the type of training we need more of. We have a lot of people in the sector who are not trained and of course I take the point. The issue of aids and appliances has come up and I mentioned the housing adaptation grants. With regard to the habitual residency rule and social welfare supports, it is something we should absolutely look at and it is something I strongly believe in. Deputy Shortall also mentioned the carer's half rate and I confirmed they will get the free GP card. Deputy Shortall acknowledged the work being done by Family Carers Ireland. I know many people in that association and we absolutely have to fund them. She also dealt with the issue of GPs, which is a very important issue.

To go back to the point made by Deputy Ó Caoláin and others, Sláintecare is a new model of care. There is a new emphasis on more services in the community, but we also have to face the reality that we have to have that capacity at primary care level. We have an issue there and I accept that point.

I welcome the support of Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick. He spoke about the bureaucracy of the application forms and the fact that Deputies spend a lot of time on them. It is something about which we need to remind people in the services.

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice spoke about the rural issue and farmers who are carers. It is an important aspect of the debate. Another part of debate about which I feel very strongly, and on which he made a valid point, is those who give up their jobs to care. We have to be mindful of the people who give up work. There should be a long-term plan and we will work on it. Today is only part of the plan. I do not want to get carried away here. I accept the points on it but we need to look at a long-term care plan. Deputy Fitzmaurice validly made the point about giving somebody a couple of hundred euro a week to stay at home and look after a person with a disability or a senior citizen rather than that person going into a nursing home or residential centre. He spoke about €1,000 but I believe the cost of some is €1,200, €1,400 or €1,500.

The final point was raised by Deputy Michael Healy Rae who strongly supports the carers, which I acknowledge. I know from meeting the Deputy in Kerry he is very involved in disability issues. He rightly raised the GP issue. We have to have the GPs with us on these issues and we have to be conscious of this. The Deputy also mentioned the issue of nursing homes and regulation. These are issues on which I have regular discussions with the officials in the Department of Health. The Bill is a step for the 14,000 carers. It states we appreciate the work being done and this is why we are granting the free GP service.

Other things are also happening, which are often not recognised. The carer's grant was restored to €1,700 per family and 101,000 families got it. The other issue was the medical card extension for children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance. An extra 11,000 children received that medical card over the past year. Three weeks ago at the Central Remedial Clinic I announced €16 million for ability programs for 2,600 young people with physical and intellectual disabilities. As I mentioned, we also had the €10 million in 2018 for the respite care homes. Many of these houses are now being opened. Another issue people should keep an eye on, because many people are not aware of it, is the annual home care credit increased by €100 to €1,200.

There are supports. Do we need to do more? Absolutely. Am I listening to the suggestion put forward by colleagues? Absolutely, but I ask everybody one favour. When it comes to the crunch over the next few weeks in the debate on the Estimates, and we have already had our first meeting, I will put residential services, carers and people with disabilities at the top of my list with regard to public spending. Other people will argue that we need more tax cuts and will argue for other issues. I need the support of all Members of the House, regardless of party or being an Independent. If everybody rallies around the carers we can get more in the budget for them because I totally value the magnificent work they do.

See this speech in context