Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I was shocked because it undermines the whole credibility of this commission. It is like the referee setting out the result of a football match before it starts. It should not be forgotten that this commission is in place during this hiatus and is meant to be independent, so as to assure the public that whatever solution is eventually reached, it is impartial and independent. Impartiality and independence are what people need in dealing with this serious matter. There is no point in having this expert commission if its chairman has already made up his mind on the issue and seems to have no respect for those who have an alternative opinion.

If these remarks are not withdrawn, we will be asking the Minister, Deputy Coveney, to come to the Seanad to explain how the commission can carry out its work appropriately under the circumstances. It is a serious issue which affects thousands of families across the country. So as not to undermine the credibility of the commission, the Seanad has a responsibility to address this. It cannot be ignored.

Up to 187,112 family carers provide 6.2 million hours of care each week. This morning I attended an excellent briefing by Family Carers Ireland. The issue of carers has been discussed in the Seanad before but several matters have come to a head recently. I know carers in my constituency who are mentally, physically and financially exhausted because of the care they are providing. It comes as no surprise that carers are a net contributor to the economy and, indeed, to the Health Service Executive budget. However, the figures of €4 billion to the economy and a third of the HSE budget are staggering, particularly given the difficulties they continue to face in providing such a vital service. With several months having passed since the programme for Government was published, will the Leader ascertain when phase 2 of the national carers’ strategy will be published with the associated ring-fenced funding? This is vitally important because there is no point in having the strategy unless the moneys are ring-fenced to resource it. It was said in 2012 that phase 2 would be revisited once the economy had recovered. We were told ad nauseamduring the election campaign that the recovery was well under way. It is now time to set a date for the strategy’s publication. I support the call by Family Carers Ireland for its funding to be increased to meet the 25% increase in the population over 65. As legislators, we can arrange for a statutory entitlement to home care services as exist for residential care. That is vitally important.Until it is put on a statutory footing, we will not treat carers in the way they deserve to be treated. Nobody should be impacted on financially in choosing to care for a loved one at home, saving the State money in the long term. This is a serious issue on which I ask for support across the House. We have to put carers front and centre in this Seanad.