Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the concluding stages of this debate it is right to acknowledge the admiration held by all Members of this House for family carers. Every day tens of thousands of people provide care for relatives, friends, neighbours and others. They may come from various walks of life and begin caring responsibilities at different points in their lives but these people share a common love for the person for whom they care. Their noble commitment to provide the best quality of care for their loved ones in the comfortable and familiar surroundings of their home is rightly worthy of our praise and admiration. It is also proper that we recognise the value and contribution made by family carers in our healthcare system.

The national carers strategy 2012 is a whole-of-government strategy containing high level goals and objectives to address a range of priority areas of importance to family carers, including health and personal social services, income support and respite. Progress has been achieved under the strategy but further work remains, as reflected by this Private Members' motion. In budget 2021, the Government increased funding to improve access to health and social care services in the community, which benefits caregivers and those for whom they care.

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, highlighted significant additional investment in disability services for 2021 and a further area I will mention concerns the ongoing work to improve access to GP care for family carers. GPs are often the first point of contact for carers when seeking advice and information. Since September 2018, individuals in receipt of either a full or half-rate carer's allowance or carer's benefit have been automatically eligible for a GP visit card. This measure was introduced to enable approximately 14,000 people at the time in receipt of carer's allowance or carer's benefit who did not qualify for a medical card or GP visit card on means or age grounds to be eligible for GP services without fees.

The Minister, Deputy Donnelly, has already referred to how we are improving health and social care services for older people and this year an additional 5 million home support hours will be provided to support older people to remain in their homes for as long as possible. This includes an additional 250,000 hours for people with dementia and an additional 27,000 hours in emergency respite to ensure the immediate care needs of care recipients are met where a carer is no longer able to continue in a caring role.

Looking forward, the programme for Government commits to reviewing and updating The National Carers' Strategy, developing a pension solution for carers that recognises their important work and developing a carer's guarantee proposal that will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live. There has been a €2 million allocation to the HSE in 2021 to improve equity of access in supports for carers across the country.

It is the duty of the Government to meet the needs of family carers and foster a climate in which they feel valued and supported to continue in caring roles. Our commitment is laid out in an ambitious programme for Government. We will work with family carers and representative organisations to deliver this.

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