Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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206. To ask the Minister for Health the progress being made to deliver the carer’s guarantee; if he plans to address the situation in which the funding for the guarantee has gone into the HSE service plan rather than to family carers; his views on the way this manner of distributing the carers guarantee can create an inconsistency of funding when the varying needs of different areas of the country are taken into account; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46938/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to delivering a ‘Carers Guarantee’ proposal that will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live. This commitment is consistent with the National Carers' Strategy, which seeks to support family carers to care with confidence through the provision of adequate information, training, services and supports.

In Budget 2021, €2m was allocated as a first step towards delivering a Carers’ Guarantee, providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region, in tandem with the community and voluntary sector.

My Department is actively engaging with the HSE and with representative groups on this matter to ensure the funding will improve equity of access to carer supports across the country.