Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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1287. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the community supports for carers for persons with dementia; her plans to expand the support levels for carers for persons with dementia; her plans to meet dementia advocacy groups to discuss increases in funding in the context of budget 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36448/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Government acknowledges the crucial role that family carers play and is fully committed to supporting carers in that role. This commitment is recognised in both the Programme for a Partnership Government and the National Carers’ Strategy.

My Department provides a range of income support payments that support those who are caring in their communities for family members, friends or neighbours, who as a result of an illness or disability require full-time care and attention. The income supports for people who are providing full-time care include carer’s benefit, carer’s allowance (including half-rate carer’s allowance), domiciliary care allowance and the annual carer’s support grant. The value of these income supports are kept under review and have been increased in recent budgets.

In addition, my department has secured €1 million of funding under the 2018 Dormant Account Fund to provide a range of training and supports for Home Carers. This measure is additional to the €1 million allocated under the 2017 Dormant Accounts Action Plan and both will be rolled out together. The measure includes the provision of structured training, information and support networks. The measure will be administered and managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Employment Affairs Social Protection in accordance with Pobal’s service agreement with the Department of Rural and Community Development.

Other government agencies most notably the Health Service also provide supports to carers. I would draw the Deputy's attention to the HSE plan for Dementia, Understand Together:www.understandtogether.ie.

I and my Department meet regularly with groups representing carers to discuss mutual priorities. My Department hosts an annual pre-budget forum, which provides an opportunity for sectoral groups including carer organisations to provide submissions on their Budget priorities. As Minister, I regularly meet advocacy groups to discuss issues relevant to the policies and responsibilities of my Department. My Department organises the annual National Carers Forum as part of implementation of the National Carers Strategy.

I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers and people with disabilities under review. Any additional improvements or additions to these supports would have to be considered in a budgetary context.

I hope this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.