Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2017
308. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he has carried out research into the provision of training and social outlets for those providing 24 hour care to family members; if research has been carried out on the social and personal needs of carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33263/17]
View answer309. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if an assessment of the holistic needs of the population of adult carers in the home has been carried out; the way in which they might be supported to best care for loved ones in the home; the social support outlets and emotional supports available to such families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33264/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 and 309 together.
The National Carers' Strategy was published in 2012. The key objectives are to recognise and value the important role played by carers, to promote their inclusion in care decisions to encourage carers to look after their own health and wellbeing, and to ensure that carers have a life outside of, and after, caring. The Strategy lists action areas under each of these objectives, the implementation of which requires more specific actions to be identified and progressed by the various Departments and Agencies allocated responsibility for delivery.
The main third sector organisation representing carers, Family Carers Ireland, engages regularly with Government Departments on issues of concern to carers, and now publishes an annual Family Carers Scorecard, which rates the Government's progress on achieving each of the actions in the Carers' Strategy.
Government officials also meet carers' representative organisations at an annual Carers Forum hosted by the Department of Social Protection. This provides a useful arena for carers to raise issues of particular concern to them. In the Health area these have included the need for improved access to respite, the need for better hospital discharge planning and the need for better information for carers.
A considerable amount of research is undertaken, including by NGOs with a specific remit in relation to caring. This research includes the type and availability of supports for people providing care for others on an informal basis. The State supports such research directly and indirectly such as through the provision of funding support by various agencies and Departments
The Single Assessment Tool (SAT) which is a comprehensive IT based standardised assessment used to assess the health and social care needs of people (primarily those over the age of 65 years) who may be looking for support under the Nursing Home Support Scheme or home care services completed its national pilot in Q2 2017. It is now progressing towards national implementation across the HSE. As part of this project, a specific Carers Needs Assessment is also being developed with input from Family Carers Ireland.
The Department is working to improve the supports available to carers and is engaged in an extensive programme of health care reform. Examples include the extension of free GP care to the over 70s. It is also committed to improving the level of home supports for older people and to improving services for people with a disability and mental health issues and to the people who care for them. A range of training programmes for carers are provided directly by the HSE jointly with carers' representative groups or directly by carers' representative organisations. The National Carers Strategy Fourth Progress Report, available at http://health.gov.ie/future-health/older-people/national-carers-strategy/ provides a comprehensive overview of the Actions being delivered under the Strategy. We are committed to the continued implementation of the Strategy.
