Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland published its research report on caring and coping with dementia during Covid-19. The report found family carers to be at breaking point, with their mental and physical well-being seriously affected. More than half of family carers were worried about how they would continue to cope. Carers spoke about the loss of day services, about community services being cut off overnight and of feeling like they were being left at the back of the queue for vaccines. Family carers have made enormous sacrifices to keep those they care for safe during this time. Many of the report's recommendations were mirrored in the Sinn Féin motion that was passed in this House at the end of March. They include the need for emotional supports such as counselling, as well as the need to prioritise the resumption of day care services and double expenditure for respite to ensure carers can access these vital supports. Will the Taoiseach act on the motion passed in this House at the end of March, with the support of his Government, to immediately support family carers who are at breaking point?

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