Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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172. To ask the Minister for Health if the review and update of the carer’s strategy has commenced; the new strands that are proposed for inclusion; the timescale for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57716/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s National Carers' Strategy is a cross-departmental strategy, designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and who are empowered to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life. 

Under the Strategy, a range of measures have been introduced or extended to support family carers in recent years. Some of the measures introduced include free GP cards for persons in receipt of the carers allowance, increased training and online supports for family carers and 27,000 hours of emergency respite funded through the HSE in the event that a care giver can no longer continue in their caring role.

Most recently, a Carers Needs Assessment will be piloted this year which will increase our knowledge of carers’ needs and €2million was allocated in Budget 2021 to further the National Carers’ Strategy in 2021 with a focus on improving equity of access to supports for carers.

My Department remains committed to progressing the implementation of the National Carers Strategy and to engaging with key stakeholders in relation to our progress in this area, including relevant government departments, representative organisations and those who advocate on behalf of family carers.