Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the advances which have been made in relation to the development of a national carers strategy. [31791/06]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 199: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs his progress on the development of a national strategy for carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31818/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 199 together.

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

One of the key Government commitments in the new national partnership agreement "Towards 2016" is the development of a National Carer's Strategy. This strategy, which will focus on supporting informal and family carers in the community, will be developed by the end of 2007. All relevant Departments and Agencies will be involved in the strategy and there will be appropriate consultation with the social partners.

"Towards 2016" also commits my Department to leading the development of a structured consultation process to inform future policy in relation to carers. This will involve an annual meeting of carer's representative groups as well as relevant Department and Agencies.

It is intended that the first such meeting will be held this November. My officials have been in contact with their counterparts in the relevant Departments and Agencies in order to finalise arrangements. Carer representative groups will shortly be contacted in this regard. This consultation meeting will give the representative groups an opportunity to discuss issues of concern to them with all the relevant Departments and Agencies.

The consultation meeting will also provide a good opportunity for all involved to tease out the issues to be covered by the strategy. While social welfare supports for carers will clearly be a key issue, 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. I am committed to working for, and with, carers to deliver increased benefits, supports, and services for them and their families. In that regard, I will continue to review the scope for further development of the supports available.