Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2015
10. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his assessment of the level of support that is currently available to young carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35325/15]
View answerIf Deputy Flanagan does not mind, we will proceed directly to the reply because there are only two minutes remaining. The Deputy will have an opportunity to ask a supplementary question.
The national carers strategy is led by the Department of Health. Many Departments, including my Department, have a role to play in its implementation. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the national policy framework for children and young people for 2014 to 2020, was launched in April 2014. One of the key policy priorities under outcome 5 - connected, respected and contributing to their world - is to ensure positive networks of family, friends and communities. Children and young people may experience difficulties maintaining friendships, education and employment due to the need for them to take on caring responsibilities within their families. This was recognised in the national youth strategy, which I launched on 8 October 2015 for all young people aged between ten and 24 years. I am pleased that representatives of the Carers Association participated in the consultation process in the development of this strategy.
The Child and Family Agency Act 2013 brings together a range of existing services for children and families in one agency. Tusla's functions include maintaining and developing services to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children and support effective functioning of families. Tusla's child protection and welfare practice handbook provides guidance to social workers in working with young carers.
In terms of developing referral pathways to supports, the Meitheal methodology for early identification of need is a valuable aid. Tusla is working with the HSE to implement its actions under the national carers strategy implementation plan.
In addition, Tusla's educational welfare service has completed national guidelines as a practical support for schools in the preparation of school attendance strategies. The guidelines will assist schools to implement effective measures to support children at risk of poor attendance and participation, including those with caring responsibilities. They are being published and it is intended that they will be circulated to schools very shortly.
To learn more about children who undertake caring roles, my Department requested the Central Statistics Office to help to identify the extent to which children have caring responsibilities. Under the national strategy for research and data on children's lives, analysis of figures in the 2011 census will help to inform future policy as to how best to address the support needs of children and young people who undertake caring roles. This analysis will be published in early 2016.
I ask Deputy Terence Flanagan to put all supplementary questions now.
I thank the Minister for his response. According to the census, 8,500 vulnerable children are dealing with caring responsibilities while attending school. What plans are in place to increase supports to this group of children, especially those who are highly vulnerable? How does Ireland compare with other jurisdictions regarding supports?
The Minister referred to the Children and Family Agency's national guidelines which will be published shortly in respect of the 2015-16 academic year. Will they be published before Christmas?
The Minister met representatives of the Carers Association in 2014. Does he have plans to meet the association again to discuss this specific issue?
I welcome the changes made in the recent budget to help and support carers generally. However, as the Minister will no doubt agree, carers, especially vulnerable young carers, require greater attention.
For the purposes of clarity, the analysis will be published in early 2016 and, as such, not before Christmas. I reiterate that the national carers strategy is led by the Department of Health, although my Department has a role in it, as it does in many different Departments. The issue of supports is one that would be more appropriate to the Department of Health.
