Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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119. To ask the Minister for Health if he plans to establish a carer's commission to address the issues being experienced by family carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2042/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises the vital role that family carers play in the provision of care in Ireland. Whether caring for a child or a parent with a disability or illness or an elderly family member, carers, through their selfless hard work, knowledge and compassion enhance the quality of life of the most vulnerable in our society.

Government policy on family carers is set out in the 2012 National Carers' Strategy which provides the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government departments and agencies for carers. The Strategy is 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 participate as fully as possible in economic and social life. Oversight of the Strategy is led by my Department, with individual Government Departments leading on action areas that fall within their remit.

At present there are no plans to establish a carers’ commission to address the issues being experienced by family carers. However, Government Departments are implementing a variety of measures to support family carers in their caring role. Financial supports for family carers such as Carer's Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Carer’s Support Grant and Domiciliary Care Allowance fall under the remit of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. In addition, the Department of Social Protection organises an annual Carers' Forum, which officials from the Department of Health and other Departments attend, to listen to the concerns voiced by carers at first hand.

In the area of health, for which I am directly responsible, new funding of €2 million was provided in Budget 2021 under the National Carers’ Strategy to improve equity of access to supports for carers across the country. This funding is a first step towards delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a Carers’ Guarantee, providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region, in tandem with the community and voluntary sector. €1.9 million of this funding is being channelled through Family Carers Ireland for the delivery of a broad range of supports to carers, while the remaining €100,000 is supporting the development and delivery of online supports through Care Alliance Ireland.

In addition, the HSE is currently piloting a Family Carers' Needs Assessment (FCNA) in Community Healthcare West over a two-year period from September 2021. The pilot is testing the implementation of the FCNA with 100 family carers across a variety of care groups including carers of people with dementia, older people, people with physical and sensory disability and those with mental health issues. It is looking at how caring affects the family carer, how much care they can realistically provide while still allowing for involvement in other activities, and, crucially, how any needs identified can be addressed. The FCNA is being piloted in conjunction with Family Carers Ireland.

To address the health- and social care-specific needs of family carers, the HSE has developed a family carers’ support page on its website at www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/3/carerssupport/. In addition, Family Carers Ireland, which receives funding from the State, provides a variety of supports and operates a freephone helpline for family carers (1800 24 07 24).