The Carers Association

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

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Facts about Family Carers
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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.
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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).

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CARERS WORK VALUE TO ECONOMY

• 3.7 million hours a week
• 2.5 billion per year.

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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.

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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

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The National Partnership Agreement
A National Carers Strategywill be
developed by end- 2007
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National Carers Strategy

• 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

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National Carers Strategy

• TIME FRAME TO DELIVER STRATEGY
• Deadline of December 2007 missed
• Deadline of mid-year 2008 missed
• Deadline of December 2008 achieved

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National Carers Strategy

• TIME FRAME TO DELIVER STRATEGYJANUARY 2009
  CABINET DECISION TO POSTPONE PUBLICATION OF
  STRATEGY

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National Carers Strategy

• PRESENT POSITION
• Strategy document completed
• Requires final Ministers Cabinet sanction
• Could be published with 4 months

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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

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National Carers Strategy

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

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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.

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• Its not about charity

Its about Equality Justice