Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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324. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered a pre-budget submission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49390/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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As part of the annual budgetary process, my Department invites pre-Budget submissions from representative bodies. As well as giving consideration to the submissions received, my Department hosts an annual Pre-Budget Forum attended by representative bodies from the community and voluntary sector. This year’s Pre-Budget Forum, held in Dublin Castle in July, was an opportunity for me to meet with groups, including carer representative groups, to gain a deeper insight into the issues they are most concerned about in the context of the Budget.

In addition to the Pre-Budget Forum, and as part of its commitments under the National Carers Strategy, my Department also hosted the Annual Carers Forum on 17 June.

I am very grateful for the time and effort taken by Family Carers Ireland and every other organization in making pre-Budget submissions this year. I can assure the Deputy that I am very much aware of the key role that family carers play in our society and I will continue to keep the range of supports available to carers under review. However, any improvements or additions to these supports can only be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.