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The Carers Association ? NATIONAL CARERS’ STRATEGY Frank Goodwin Chairperson

The Carers Association highlights the need for a comprehensive strategy to support family carers in Ireland, addressing issues such as income support, health and care services, and training. The strategy aims to recognize the value of carers and address the challenges they face in providing care for their loved ones.

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The Carers Association ? NATIONAL CARERS’ STRATEGY Frank Goodwin Chairperson

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  1. The Carers Association ? NATIONAL CARERS’ STRATEGY Frank Goodwin Chairperson The Carers Association

  2. Facts about Family Carers

  3. Who are Family Carers? We are family, friends or neighbours who provide medium and high levels of care for children and adults with severe disabilities, frail older people, and people who are long-term & terminally ill.

  4. 160,917 Family Carers = 4.8% of the population. 62% female. 11% over 65 years of age. 40,883 Family Carers provide full time careThere are approx 40,000 nurses in our health services. 90,544 are working Carers (56%). Of these, 14,068 provide fulltime care (16%). Facts from Census 2006

  5. CARERS’ WORK VALUE TO ECONOMY 3.7 million hours a week €2.5 billionper year.

  6. 43,569 Carers receive the Carers Allowance. Of these 15,791 on Half Rate Carers Allowance. 2,628 Carers received Carers Benefit. 4,409 Carers on the Carers Allowance care for two or more people. 54,426 Carers received the annual Respite Care Grant of €1,700. Since 2004, 182 claims for Carers Allowance have been refused because of the Habitual Residency Clause. Facts about Carers in 2008Department Social & Family Affairs

  7. Maximum Rate = €220 per week = €2.30 per day over Job Seekers Allowance = Under €4 per hour (60 hours week) €8.65 = Legal Minimum Wage CARERS ALLOWANCE

  8. The National Partnership Agreement “A National Carers’ Strategy……will be developed by end- 2007”

  9. Key components of Government Strategy: 1. Income support. 2. Health and Care Services 3. Programme of training Labour Market issues Transport Housing Information Services Social Inclusion Research and technology developments National Carers’ Strategy

  10. TIME FRAME TO DELIVER STRATEGY Deadline of December 2007 missed Deadline of mid-year 2008 missed Deadline of December 2008 achieved National Carers’ Strategy

  11. TIME FRAME TO DELIVER STRATEGYJANUARY 2009 CABINET DECISION TO POSTPONE PUBLICATION OF STRATEGY National Carers’ Strategy

  12. PRESENT POSITION Strategy document completed Requires final Minister’s & Cabinet sanction Could be published with 4 months National Carers’ Strategy

  13. Factors Effecting Family Carers Fair Deal Population Aging Acute Hospital admission & discharge policies Cut backs in front line services Lack of Needs Assessment entitlement Lack of Pension entitlement National Carers’ Strategy

  14. WHAT TO DO NOW Call on the Government to review Cabinet decision. Lobby on all fronts Pre-Budget submission National Carers’ Strategy

  15. Carers are an integral part of our health and social services provision They deliver Government policy by caring for people in their own homes Carers work 3.7 million hours per week Save the State €2.5 billion per year Due to Government Policy (Fair Deal), there will be greater demand on Family Carers. The rationalisation of HSE services and the declining economy mean that carers will carry an increased burden of care. Due to an ageing population there will be more older people to be cared for at home than ever before. In Conclusion

  16. Its not about charity Its about Equality & Justice

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