Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the claim made by the director of the organisation, Caring for Carers Ireland, that thousands of family carers may not be aware of their entitlements; the steps he is taking to promote awareness of the entitlements of carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11015/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The underlying objective of my Department's information policy is to ensure that all citizens, including carers, are made aware of their entitlements under a broad range of social insurance, social assistance and other supports and are kept informed of changes and improvements as they occur. My Department provides a range of information leaflets and booklets for carers. These include, Carer's Allowance — SW 41, Carer's Benefit — SW 49, Respite Care Grant — SW 113 and the Guide to Social Welfare Services — SW 4. Comprehensive information on social welfare schemes and supports, including information for carers is available from my Department's network of 125 social welfare local offices throughout the country. Information for carers is also available on my Department's website, www.welfare.ie, and any social welfare leaflet or application form can be ordered from our lo-call leaflet line 1890 20 23 25.

Carers have been the target of a number of awareness campaigns undertaken by my Department in recent years. In 2004, a major national and local radio advertising campaign was undertaken by my Department to promote the carer's benefit scheme. In 2005, a major publicity campaign was undertaken by my Department to publicise the availability of the new respite care grant to carers providing full-time care.

The campaign included advertisements in provincial and national newspapers and a freephone helpline to explain the eligibility conditions for the grant. A comprehensive information article on the respite care grant was prepared by my Department and distributed to all carers support organisations for inclusion in their publications and literature. Information officers and other staff in my Department involved in providing information to carers and community welfare officers were provided with comprehensive briefing to enable them to provide guidance and assistance to carers inquiring about the scheme. Posters were widely distributed throughout the country to all local offices of my Department, to the citizens information centres and to some 800 health centres for public health nurses, GPs and other health care staff.

My Department works closely with voluntary and community organisations involved in providing support to carers. Organisations that have received funding in the recent past to provide information to carers include the Carers Association, ICTU and the Care Alliance. At the Caring for Carers Ireland 15th annual conference, attended by over 400 carers, my Department had an information stand to provide information and advice to carers.

In addition to the information services provided by my Department for carers, Comhairle, the national information body funded by my Department, has a particular role in providing information to people with disabilities and their carers. Through its network of 247 citizens information centres throughout the country Comhairle provides information, advice and advocacy to assist people in accessing social services.

My Department will continue to work closely with voluntary and national organisations that provide support to carers and every opportunity will be taken to promote schemes and services for carers. The provision of quality information to meet the particular needs of carers is a high priority for my Department in the drive to ensure that carers are aware of and claim their entitlements.