Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:587. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the needs of carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20519/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 26 May 2015
Ceisteanna (587)
Freagraí scríofa
Objective 1.1 of the National Carers Strategy is to strengthen awareness of the role and contribution of carers at national, regional and local level. An action area within that objective is to ensure that carers' needs are considered in the development of any policies that might affect them (such as the Review of Disability Policy, the National Positive Ageing Strategy, and the Children and Young People's Policy Framework 2012-2017.
The needs of those who care for people with disabilities have been taken into account in the development of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services and related policy documents and will continue to be taken into account during implementation of the Review’s recommendations. Consultation with stakeholders, including carers, was a key element of the development of these policy initiatives, and this will continue to be the case. For example, carers were included in recent consultations on draft interim day service standards for people with disabilities which are nearing finalisation. Families and carers are also an integral part of the consultation and planning process for the transition of people living in congregated settings to community living. The provision of respite services is a vital part of the continuum of services which the HSE provides to support the families of people with disabilities. This year 5,274 people with a disability are expected to avail of residential centre-based respite services, utilising 190,003 bed nights, and increasing use is being made of newer and more innovative forms of non-centre-based respite services.
The National Positive Ageing Strategy notes that 80% of the main caregivers to people over the age of 50 are themselves aged 50 or over and approximately 20% of these are over 65. It states that Ireland's ageing population, coupled with medical advances in relation to disability and chronic illness, will result in more older people being cared for in the community in the years ahead. Under National Goal 2 of the Strategy which is to support people as they age to maintain, improve or manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, Objective 2.3 explicitly stresses the need to recognise and support the role of carers by implementing the National Carers' Strategy.
The vital role of carers is also explicitly acknowledged in the recently published National Dementia Strategy (2014) which states that carers are the cornerstone of care for people with dementia living in the community. Carers' needs are accordingly prioritised throughout the Strategy. Section 6 of the Strategy focuses on integrated services, supports and care for people with dementia and their carers, and a number of the priority actions relate to the supports that need to be available both to people with dementia and to their carers to enable them to continue in their caring role. These include home care packages, respite care and access to information on available services and supports. The HSE has set up a National Dementia Strategy Implementation Office to bring forward implementation of the Strategy.
The needs of young carers are recognised in the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 Better Outcomes Brighter Futures in light of the potential vulnerability of children and young people with caring responsibilities. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has recently engaged with the Carer's Association in the development of the draft National Youth Strategy.