Carers Welcome Publication Of Strategy

July 19, 2012 - PRLog -- The organisation said the Strategy, entitled “The National Carers Strategy: Recognised, Supported, Empowered”, included commitments from all Government Departments to meet the demands and needs of Ireland’s growing number of family carers of all ages, estimated to be around 187,000 (4.1% of the population).

Today’s launch was also attended by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore.

“As far back as 1988, the Department of Health expressed its desire to enable older people to live with dignity and to be cared for as long as possible in their own homes. 24 years on, the Government has produced a Strategy that we feel provides the framework that will guide the future of caring in the community and help to support a fair and equitable system for Family Carers in challenging times,” explained Mary McMahon, CEO of Caring for Carers Ireland.

Ms. McMahon added: “There are over 74,000 males and 113,000 females registered as family carers in Ireland, including 4,288 carers under the age of 15, who collectively contribute billions of euro to the national economy each year. Family Carers are dedicated people at all levels of society who care in the home for older people, people of all ages with disabilities and those with long term illness. Their role may involve a 24-hour-day seven-day-week commitment without respite and often lacking sustainable help or support.”

Brigid Barron, Innovation and Programme Manager, Caring for Carers Ireland, noted that the publication of the Strategy is “timely” as the pressures faced by family carers throughout Ireland have never been greater.

She continued: “The demand for support mechanisms to be put in place for family carers are increasing on a daily basis as a result of early discharges from hospitals, the growing need for long term care for Ireland’s ageing population and the increase in the numbers of people with complex health issues being cared for in their home by family members. This Strategy is geared toward including family carers in care planning and decision making for those that they care for, and the promotion of supports and services to protect the physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing of carers.”

“We are very appreciative of Minister Lynch’s commitment to getting this Strategy published. She informed us at our National Respite Weekend in Killarney last March that she would revisit the Strategy, which had been initially devised but later dropped by the previous Government because of a lack of funding. Caring for Carers Ireland, on behalf of its members, now looks forward to a speedy implementation of the proposals outlined in the Strategy,” Ms. Barron concluded.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
-    Available Interviewees: Mary McMahon, CEO, Caring for Carers Ireland (086 2469 764); Brigid Barron, Innovation and Programme Manager, Caring for Carers Ireland (086 6011317)
-    Further information is available from Mark Dunphy of Dunphy PR on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com
-    Caring for Carers Ireland – Caring for Carers Ireland promotes the Health, Wellbeing and Quality of life of Family Carers and those for whom they care by promoting recognition, providing respite care, information, training and advocacy to promote Social Inclusion, within the context of The Carers’ Charter. The Caring for Carers Ireland Headquarters is located in Ennis, Co Clare.