Vol. 503 No. 7
95 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the national strategy for carers in the United Kingdom launched in February 1999 which provides £140 million sterling grants to local authorities spread over three years to provide respite care for carers; the plans, if any, he has to introduce similar measures here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11183/99]
I am aware of the situation in the United Kingdom. Here at home, the Government is very much aware of the enormous contribution of family carers to looking after dependent, older people and other people with disabilities in the home. This concern was clearly illustrated in the 1999 budget. The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs has taken measures to improve assistance to carers through the carer's allowance. He has increased by £6 the care allowance for carers over 66 years and by £3 the allowance for carers under 66 years. There will also be a once-a-year payment of £200 towards the costs of respite care. On the health side, we have allocated a sum of £1 million as part of the budget allocation for older people to health boards, specifically for the support of carers. This fund can be used for the benefit of carers in a flexible manner, based on local needs. The improvement of liaison and support for individual carers and local voluntary groups who promote the interests of carers are examples of the type of support envisaged. The budget allocation will also enable more paramedical and nursing staff to be recruited and assigned to home care of older people which, in turn, will also assist carers. Some £800,000 has been earmarked for this purpose. I hope that we can build on these improvements in 2000 and subsequent years in the context of budgetary priorities.
