The Carers Association ? NATIONAL CARERS’ STRATEGY Frank Goodwin Chairperson
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Transcript of The Carers Association ? NATIONAL CARERS’ STRATEGY Frank Goodwin Chairperson
The Carers Association?
NATIONAL CARERS’ STRATEGY
Frank GoodwinChairperson
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 are 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 2008Department 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