Paddy McHugh (Galway East, Independent)
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Question 329: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if a national strategy will be formulated for carers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34722/05]

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 332: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if, in the interest of promoting equality for family carers, he will support the establishment of a national advisory group made up of carers, representative organisations, union representatives and employers' groups to advise his Department on the various areas of policy affecting carers and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34731/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I proposed to take Question Nos. 329 and 332 together.

Supporting carers in our society has been a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period weekly payment rates to carer's have been greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carers' allowance have been significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carers' benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced.

I had the pleasure last May of launching the Carers Association national strategy document "Towards a Family Carers Strategy". The strategy is a focused document with very clear objectives and actions. These objectives and actions cover a range of areas and Departments, including income support and health related issues.

The long-term care working group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and comprising senior officials from the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Social and Family Affairs is due to report to the Tánaiste and to me shortly. The objective of this group is to identify the policy options for a financially sustainable system of long-term care, taking account of the Mercer report, the views of the consultation that was undertaken on that report and the review of the nursing home subvention scheme by Eamon O'Shea. The issues raised in the Carers Association strategy will also be included in the group's deliberations.

I am always prepared to consider changes to existing arrangements where these are for the benefit of recipients and financially sustainable within the resources available to me. Those recommendations involving additional expenditure will be considered in a budgetary context. I will continue to review the issues raised by the Carers Association and other bodies representing carers.