Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 October 2018
420. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if the €3.5 million investment proposed by an organisation (details supplied) will be included in budget 2019 in order to enable access to core services, for example, respite, training and personal support, which will have a cost saving effect on the health service in the long run; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39872/18]
View answerThe cross-departmental National Carers' Strategy was launched by the Government in 2012. Containing 42 actions across four national goals, it sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government departments and agencies to carers. I am pleased to say that significant progress has been made on a large number of actions, and the Department of Health is determined to offer as much support as possible to family carers throughout the country.
Following the enactment of the necessary legislation, free GP care has been extended to those in receipt of the Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit since 1 September this year. Furthermore, in December 2017, the Government announced the provision of an additional €10 million specifically to enhance respite care in the disability sector, which has had a positive impact to date. €8 million of this provides for the equivalent of 12 new houses, one in each CHO, with an additional three in the Greater Dublin area. The remaining €2 million is for innovative respite solutions, such as Home Sharing and extended day services, to provide assistance where people need it most.
The Department of Health has also secured funding through the Dormant Accounts fund to enable the HSE to pilot a Carer's Needs Assessment in one Community Healthcare Organisation. The HSE developed this tool with significant input from the Family Carer Reference Group, which represents a national network of over 200 carer groups across Ireland. The assessment will assist in identifying the needs of carers across all care groups and will track health and wellbeing outcomes for carers over time.
The Department of Health and the HSE are committed to ensuring that family carers receive as much support as possible to allow them to continue caring for their loved ones. Both the Department and the HSE will continue to engage with family carer organisations to address the needs of carers.
The level of funding available for the Department of Health in 2019 and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE will be considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process and National Service Planning.
