Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 October 2023
458. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to update the National Carers Strategy; when he expects the strategy to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43465/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains specific commitments in recognition of the contribution of Family Carers to care provision in Ireland, which will build on the progress to date in the implementation of the National Carers’ Strategy. One of these is to review and update the National Carers' Strategy.
Before commencing work on an update and refresh of the National Carers' Strategy, consideration will need to be given by the Department of Health to the approach to the update and the breadth of stakeholder consultation. A review carried out by Care Alliance Ireland and UCC in 2021 of the Carers' Strategy found that for most actions (40/42), over 90% of carers felt they were still relevant and wanted them retained but that they should be strengthened.
The Programme for Government also commits to developing a ‘Carers Guarantee’ proposal that will provide a core basket of services to carers across the country regardless of where they live. New funding of €2 million was provided in Budget 2021 under the umbrella of the National Carers’ Strategy to improve equity of access to supports for carers across the country, in tandem with the community and voluntary sector. This annual funding delivers substantially on the Carers' Guarantee: €1.9 million has been provided to Family Carers Ireland for the delivery of a broad range of supports to carers, while the remaining €100,000 is supporting a professionally mediated online family carer support group through Care Alliance Ireland.
In addition, the HSE has completed piloting of a Family Carers Needs Assessment in Community Healthcare West over a two-year period from September 2021. The pilot tested 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 examined 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 was piloted in conjunction with Family Carers Ireland.
