Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 278: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether there should be a work-life balance for carers allowing more flexible working arrangements which would accommodate real life caring situations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35599/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be interested to know that under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive provides funding for carers' groups, some of whom provide training, information and support to family carers. Responsibility for carer's allowance and benefit rests with my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. His Department has informed that the carer's allowance is a payment for carers on low incomes who live with and look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. Carers who are providing care to more than one person may be entitled to up to 50% extra of the maximum rate of carer's allowance each week, depending on the weekly means assessed. Carer's benefit is a payment made to insured persons who leave the workforce to care for a person or persons in need of full-time care and attention.

Responsibility for the Carer's Leave Act 2001 rests with my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. His Department has informed me that the Carer's Leave Act 2001, which commenced on 2 July 2001, delivered on the undertaking by the previous Government in the programme for prosperity and fairness. The Act allows employees to leave their employment temporarily to provide full-time care for a period of up to 65 weeks — 15 months — and have their employment rights protected during the absence.

The introduction of the Carer's Leave Act is recognition of the important role played by carers in our society. It is important that support and practical assistance continues to be given to these carers. The Act makes it possible for employees to make the temporary choice of becoming a carer without loss of employment and where possible care, recipients may be cared for in the home.

The Act complements the carer's benefit scheme administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which provides financial support for 15 months to an employee who leaves employment temporarily to care for someone medically certified by the Department of Social and Family Affairs as needing full-time care and attention. As the carer's benefit scheme is based on an employee's PRSI contributions, there is no means test.

The Act is a unique and innovative social policy that seeks to support people during a difficult period. One of the main provisions in the Act allows carers to work for up to ten hours per week, under regulations made by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs. This allows employers to avail of the services of valued employees on a part-time basis while, at the same time, recognising the sensitivities of individual situations.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 279: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether training should be provided for all family carers in caring skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35600/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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An interdepartmental group on the funding of long-term care for older persons was established earlier this year by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan. This group is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and is examining a range of issues surrounding the care of older persons in Ireland, including carers. The report of the group is expected to be submitted to Government in the near future.

The Deputy may be interested to know that under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive provides funding for carers' groups, some of whom provide training to family carers. Accordingly, the Department has requested the parliamentary affairs division of the executive to arrange for information to be supplied to the Deputy regarding funding these groups.

Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 280: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will consider the implementation of the comprehensive needs assessment protocol for family carers to consider health and social issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35603/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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An interdepartmental group on the funding of long-term care for older persons set up by the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, and chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, is examining a range of issues surrounding the care of older persons in Ireland, including the question of standardised needs assessment for services. The report of the group will be submitted to Government in the near future.