The Carers Association NATIONAL CARERS STRATEGY Frank Goodwin

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

Facts about Family Carers

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.

Facts from Census 2006 • 160, 917 Family Carers = 4. 8% of the population. • 62% female. • 11% over 65 years of age. • 40, 883 Family Carers provide full time care There approx 40, 000 nurses in our health services. • 90, 544 are working Carers (56%). Of these, 14, 068 provide fulltime care (16%).

CARERS’ WORK VALUE TO ECONOMY • 3. 7 million hours a week • € 2. 5 billion per year.

Facts about Carers in 2008 Department Social & Family Affairs • 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.

CARERS ALLOWANCE • 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

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

National Carers’ Strategy Key components of Government Strategy: 1. Income support. 2. Health and Care Services 3. Programme of training 4. Labour Market issues 5. Transport 6. Housing 7. Information Services 8. Social Inclusion 9. Research and technology developments

National Carers’ Strategy TIME FRAME TO DELIVER STRATEGY 1. Deadline of December 2007 missed 2. Deadline of mid-year 2008 missed 3. Deadline of December 2008 achieved

National Carers’ Strategy • TIME FRAME TO DELIVER STRATEGY JANUARY 2009 CABINET DECISION TO POSTPONE PUBLICATION OF STRATEGY

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

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

In Conclusion • 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.

Its not about charity Its about Equality & Justice