Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 108: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the progress to date on the new national carers strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12102/08]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 128: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of meetings that have been held in relation to discussions on the new national carers strategy; the persons present at the meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12103/08]

Shane McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the completion date for the new national carers strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12104/08]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 545: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the number of times the national carers strategy working group has met to date; the composition of the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12223/08]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 128, 146 and 545 together.

The development of a national carers' strategy is a key Government commitment in both the national partnership agreement "Towards 2016" and the Programme for Government. A working group, chaired by the Department of An Taoiseach, has begun work on developing the strategy.

My Department provides the secretariat to the working group which also includes representatives of the Departments of Finance, Health and Children and Enterprise, Trade and Employment as well as FÁS and the Health Service Executive. To date, the working group has held two meetings, one in February and the other in March. A list of those who attended the meetings is set out at the end of the reply. It is intended to hold the next meeting later this month.

Developing the strategy involves consultation with other Departments and Government agencies not represented on the working group. Yesterday, my Department hosted a consultation meeting with several organisations including the Equality Authority, Combat Poverty Agency, Citizen's Information Board, Pobal, the Family Support Agency, the National Economic and Social Council, the National Council on Ageing and Older People, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners, the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. A list of attendees is set out at the end of the reply.

"Towards 2016" commits the DSFA to hosting an annual consultation meeting of carer representative groups and relevant Departments and Agencies. Such a meeting was held on 23 January 2008. Representatives of 12 groups and 9 government departments and agencies attended. A list of attendees is set out at the end of the reply.

The theme was the National Carers' Strategy and groups were given an opportunity to comment on the draft terms of reference and to raise other issues considered relevant in the context of the strategy. Key issues were recognition for carers and their work, accessing suitable health services, income support (including pensions) and access to training and employment. Another meeting with carer groups will be held when the results of the public consultation process are available.

The commitment to the development of a National Carers' Strategy includes a commitment to appropriate consultation with the social partners. An update in relation to the strategy was provided to the social partners plenary session in February. It is intended that the first consultation meeting with the social partners will be held in April.

A request for submissions from the public was published in regional newspapers during the week beginning 3 March 2008 and in the national daily papers on Friday 7 March. It is also on the front page of my Department's website. Representative groups and the social partners have been advised of this process. The closing date for submissions is Friday, 18 April 2008. To date, 35 submissions have been received. It is intended to publish the strategy later this year.