Gary Gannon
Question:450. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made to date on reviewing and renewing the national carers’ strategy committed to in the programme for Government. [26433/21]
View answerThursday, 24 June 2021
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Written answers
Ireland’s National Carers' Strategy is designed around a core vision which recognises and respects carers as key care partners who are supported to maintain their own health and well-being, care with confidence and who are empowered to participate as fully as possible in economic and social life.
Under the Strategy, a range of measures have been introduced or extended by my Department to support family carers in recent years. Most recently, the Government allocated €2 million in Budget 2021 to advance the implementation of the National Carers' Strategy, with a focus on providing a more standard package of supports to family carers in every region. My Department is currently working on the details of this allocation with the HSE.
The Programme for Government contains a firm commitment to progress the review and update of the National Carers’ Strategy, and this is a priority for me, as Minister for Health. Consideration will need to be given by the Department of Health with regard to the approach to the update, including the convening of a steering group and the breadth of stakeholder consultation. Meetings have taken place between the Department of Health and representative organisations in relation to the carers strategy and work will progress on this in 2021.