An Irish Strategy for Carers

Enda Egan

CEO, The Carers Association

Carers in Ireland

• Ireland’s 160,917 Carers provide 3.7 million hours of care each week saving the State €2.5 billion each year. This means the average fulltime Carer contributes €40,500 of caring work each year.

• 49,742 Carers receive Carers Allowance. Of these 20,350 receive Half Rate Carers Allowance.

• Approximately 39,000 nurses employed in our health services.

• In 2010 the Central Statistics Office estimated that Ireland could now have as many as 274,000 Family Carers.

What is the National Carers Strategy?

The National Carers Strategy is a Government policy document which sets out clearly identified actions that Government will take to ensure best outcomes for Carers and those for whom they care.

Why have a National Carers Strategy

• Acknowledge and give recognition to the vital role of Carers. • Set out measures to improve the services and supports

available to Carers• Support carers to have a family and community life and be

socially included• Support carers to remain mentally and physically well.• Give Carers a say in service provision• Government Policy to care for people at home

Towards a National Carers Strategy: Progress to Date

2010 20112006 2007 2008 2009

Towards 2016 - Commitment to publish Carers Startegy by Dec 2008

Programme for Government - Commitment to publish Carers Strategy

Strategy due for

publication - deadline not met

Nationwide consultation on Strategy and call for submissions

Government announce

Carers Strategy will

not be published

Carers continue to lobby for the publication of the Carers Strategy

Following General Election Irelands new

Programe for Government commits

to publish National Carers Strategy

Supports for Carers

• Carer Needs Assessment• Respite Services• Support Groups• Training• Home Help• Day Care Centres• Equipment to do the job• Home Care Packages

Information for Carers

• Right to information – Legislation• Clearer information on entitlements• Proper resourcing of free phone Careline and

information services• Training for all health service frontline staff• Dept. Health Carer specific website (similar to

UK)

Education and Training

• Care in the Home training for all Carers• Specific training for specific caring situations• Personal development training• Back to work training

Income Supports

• Adequate income supports for Carers e.g. Carers Allowance, Benefit, Respite Grant etc.

• Ensure Carers have access to an adequate income when they reach pension age.

• Enable Carers to balance employment and caring responsibilities.

• Ensure Carers are not financially penalised due to their caring role.

Employment, Legislation & Equality

• Carer specific legislation• Flexible working conditions• Habitual Residence Condition• Share the Care policies

Carers with Specific Needs

• Young Carers• Male Carers• Older Carers• Carers of Alzheimer's patients• Carers of those with severe disabilities• Carers who themselves have a disability or are

unwell• Carers who are 24/7

Where To From Here

• Carers Become Empowered through Lobbying Training

• Continuation of Specific Political Lobbying Campaigns

• Political Champion Data Base • Lobbying & advocacy collaboration within the

wider Disability & Older persons sector• Need for more Evidential based Research

especially in the area of Economics of Family Care

• Generate Political will