No Strategy for Carers - Cora Harvey
Published: 3 March, 2009
Carers Strategy will not be published. - Cora Harvey
Today the Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin has announced that the long awaited carers' strategy would not be published due to the difficult economic situation that we find ourselves in.
Commenting on the announcement Sinn Fein County Councillor has said:
"This is very disappointing for family carers and for all those in the caring association who anxiously awaited this strategy, especially after recent comments from the Minister that cuts may be made to their allowance. The aim of the strategy was to set out the Government's vision for family and informal carers and establish a set of goals and actions in areas such as income support, health care and services.
The strategy was promised by the Government in the 'Towards 2016' partnership deal in 2006 and under the programme for Government in 2007.
Concluding Cllr Harvey has said:
This again highlights where the Government places carers on their list of priorities, despite the enormous contribution that carers have made to society and have estimated to have saved the state approximately 2.1bn per annum and now they are to be dismissed in this way".
Ends.
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