Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

809. To ask the Minister for Health the portion of the €30 million for national strategies in Budget 2022 that will be allocated for the National Carers Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50930/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An extra €30 million was provided in Budget 2022 to progress delivery of a number of national strategies, including the Cancer Strategy and investment in trauma centres and transplant programmes.

€2m was allocated from the Department of Health in Budget 2021 to implement the National Carers Strategy. This funding was a first step towards delivering a “carers guarantee” that provides a core basket of services to carers across the country, regardless of where they live. This funding has been made recurring from 2022 onwards and it is a priority of my Department to ensure the funding will be used to improve equity of access to supports.

In addition, an interRAI Carers Needs Assessment will be piloted by the HSE over a two year period, commencing in 2021, to better identify family carers’ needs with a view to linking them into relevant supports and services.