Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)
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Question 39: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will report on progress regarding the development of a National Carers Strategy as committed to under the partnership agreement Towards 2016. [43241/06]

Paul McGrath (Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the organisations he has included in his consultation process for a national carers strategy; the progress he has made in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43289/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 39 and 50 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 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. It is expected that work on the strategy will begin early in the new year.

While social welfare supports for carers will clearly be a key issue in the strategy, 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. For that reason all relevant departments and agencies will be involved in the strategy and there will be appropriate consultation with the social partners.

This type of co-operation is also reflected in the "Towards 2016" commitment that my Department lead 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 and relevant department and agencies.

I am pleased that the first such meeting has already been held and that the issues raised there informed the package of measure for carers which I announced in Budget 2007. I am committed to working for, and with, carers to deliver increased benefits, supports, and services for them and their families.