I would also like to join the Taoiseach in welcoming the publication of this very important National Carers’ Strategy, the first of its kind in Ireland, and to congratulate my colleague, Kathleen Lynch and her staff in the Office for Older People for delivering on this key commitment in the Programme for Government.
One of the very impressive aspects of this Strategy is its emphasis on partnership and a whole of Government approach to meeting the needs of carers.
When one thinks of care and carers, attention tends to focus on the health system.
However, caring can affect all aspects of a carer’s life.
As a result, this Strategy has a broad cross-departmental focus that addresses a wide range of priority areas for action, in addition to health and personal social services, such as;
o income supports,
o housing,
o information,
o respite,
o transport,
o training and
o employment.
As the Taoiseach noted, all Government Departments and agencies that deal with carers in any of their functions must now take their lead from this Strategy and use it to inform their planning and policies in the future.
It is also worth noting again that the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy will provide the pathway for Government’s continued consideration of progress in relation to the implementation of this Strategy.
I emphasise this because there is also a Cabinet Committee on Health. Specifying the Social Policy Committee underlines our determination to move away from a primary focus on health to a broader consideration of the needs of carers, and the role they play in society.
That said, the most important partnerships that must happen are those at a more local level, particularly between carers and the people that are providing services or supports to the person being cared for.
Far and away, carers are the people who know and understand the condition of the person they are caring for. However, we know that many can feel that this expertise is not fully considered when decisions relating to the person being cared for are being made.
Involving carers in planning and decision making and considering them as partners in care provision sends a very clear message that their contribution to the care of a loved one is recognised, respected and valued.
I think that it is important that, while it cannot be guaranteed that additional supports and services will be provided in the short to medium term, the Actions contained in the Strategy will be reviewed regularly and up-dated as the fiscal situation and other developments allow.
The wide range of Actions to be progressed under the Strategy will make a tangible difference to the lives of carers in the short to medium term.
This publication of the National Carers’ Strategy places carers firmly on the national agenda.
It is a start and a good start. If it makes even a small difference to the life of any one carer at any time, which I believe it will, then we are moving in the right direction.
I will now hand you over to the Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Ms Kathleen Lynch, to formally launch the National Carers’ Strategy.