Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I do not propose to accept the amendment. One of the key Government commitments in the national partnership agreement, Towards 2016, is the development of a national carers' strategy. This commitment is reiterated in the programme for Government. The strategy will focus on supporting informal and family carers in the community. While social welfare supports for carers will clearly be a key issue in the strategy, other issues, such as access to respite and other services, education, training and employment will also feature strongly.

Co-operation between relevant Government Departments and agencies is essential if the provision of services, supports and entitlements for carers is to be fully addressed. For that reason, all relevant Departments and agencies will be involved in the strategy. There will also be appropriate consultation with the social partners. Department officials have been in discussions with their colleagues in other relevant Departments in order to decide on the best approach to the development of the strategy. An inter-departmental working group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, is being established to develop the strategy. The Minister expects the strategy will be completed by the summer of 2008. We aim for July 2008, on the completion of the Dáil and Seanad session.

The recent improvements in income supports available from the Department represent major improvements in supports available to carers in the community. Speakers here have not acknowledged the serious level of support provided to a number of carers throughout the country in their homes. People who need that support get it from this Department and the Department of Health and Children through the HSE and home care packages. We also aim to reduce the numbers who avail of long-term residential care in nursing homes.

The development of the national carers' strategy provides us with an opportunity to build further on these improvements and to consider other areas where progress can be made.