Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when the National Carer's Strategy will be published; the plans to address the specific issues related to young carer's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47429/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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During 2008, an interdepartmental group, chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach, with secretariat support provided by my Department, undertook work, including a public consultation process, to develop a National Carers' Strategy. However, because of the prevailing economic situation, it was not possible to set targets or time limits which could be achieved. In that context, rather than publishing a document which did not include any significant plans for the future, the Government decided not to publish a strategy. This position remains unchanged.

As regards young carers, in response to a commitment given in the Towards 2016 partnership agreement, the Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in 2008 commissioned Dr Allyn Fives and colleagues from the Child and Family Research Centre, National University of Galway, to carry out a study on young carers. The research took place during 2009 and the report was launched by Minister of State, Barry Andrews, T.D. at the annual conference of the Carers Association on 7th May 2010.

The particular service areas identified in the report, and the welfare of young carers as children, are primarily the responsibility of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Services Executive, as well as the Department of Education and Skills and the National Educational Welfare Board.

The Department of Social Protection provides income supports for adult carers who are unable to work because of their full time caring responsibilities. It does this through the carer's allowance, carer's benefit and the respite care grant, as well as additional supports such as the household benefits package and free travel. These supports are generally available to full time carers over the age of 18. The respite care grant is available to full time carers over the age of 16.

While the work of a young carer is clearly important in many families, it would not be in the interests of a child attending school that they be treated as a full time carer in need of income support in their own right.