Mary Butler
Ceist:107. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if the 2019 HSE service plan will enhance supports for carers in 2019. [43563/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 23 October 2018
Ceisteanna (107)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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 Department of Health is working with the HSE to prepare the 2019 National Service Plan. Pending agreement of the National Service Plan, I am not in a position to comment either on the funding that will be made available for carers or the specific services that will be provided.