Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she proposes to engage in discussions with the Department of Social and Family Affairs with a view to expanding, liberalising and improving facilities for carers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24474/07]

Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy may be aware that one of the key Government commitments in the national partnership agreement "Towards 2016" is the development of a national carer's strategy and this commitment is reiterated in the Programme for Government. The strategy will focus on supporting informal and family carers in the community. While financial support 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.

The Department of Social & Family Affairs has lead responsibility for the development of the carer's strategy and is currently considering how best to ensure all relevant departments and agencies can be involved in the strategy. My Officials in the Department of Health & Children will continue to work with their counterparts in the Department of Social & Family Affairs to progress matters.