Vol. 561 No. 1
416 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Health and Children if his Department proposes to engage in discussions with the Department of Social and Family Affairs with a view to expanding, liberalising and improving facilities for carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3747/03]
The two Departments in question have, in recent years, made considerable progress in improving the situation of informal family carers. The Department of Social and Family Affairs provided assistance through the medium of the carer's allowance and, in particular, by gradually easing the qualification criteria for receipt of the allowance. In relation to my own Department, in recognition of the valuable service rendered by informal family carers, additional financial allocations have been made available to the health boards and the Eastern Regional Health Authority for the purpose of supplying specific help to such carers by way of respite and assistance in the home. The amounts so provided were €1.27 million in 1999, €1.27 million in 2000, €2.54 million in 2001, and €1.03 million in 2002, totalling over €6 million in the period 1999-2002. Additional funding amounting to €7.527 million has also been allocated for home help development in the period 1999-2002 and €11.79 million has been allocated, in respect of the same period, for community supports. Both of these provisions have substantially improved the position of carers.
