Press release
Minister Humphreys addresses Annual Carers’ Forum
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys today (17 May 2023) addressed the Annual Carers’ Forum held at Chartered Accountants House, Pearse Street.
The Forum gives family carers a voice at policy level and is one of the Department of Social Protection’s commitments under the National Carers Strategy. This is a cross-departmental strategy, led by the Department of Health, that sets the direction for future policies, services and supports provided by government departments and agencies for carers.
This annual event is an opportunity for government departments, carer organisations and family carers to discuss the issues that affect family carers and their loved ones on a day-to day basis. The event consisted of sessions on health, social protection supports, transport and housing issues for people with disabilities and older people and issues affecting young carers. These themed workshops provided an opportunity for open dialogue and to hear how policies impact on people’s lives.
Speaking at the event, Minister Humphreys said:
“As Minister for Social Protection, supporting our family carers has always been a key priority of mine. I value these engagements to gain a deeper insight into the issues experienced by family carers and hear their concerns first-hand.
"This level of engagement has helped inform some considerable improvements that have been introduced for carers in recent years, including significant changes to the Carer's Allowance means test, which came into effect in June 2022. These were the first changes to the means test in 14 years and benefitted many carers on modest incomes.
"As part of Budget 2021 the Carer’s Support Grant was increased from €1,700 to €1,850 per year. This is the highest level of payment since the grant was introduced. In just two weeks’ time, on Thursday 1 June, some 141,000 grants will be paid to approximately 126,000 carers.”
Government departments and agencies represented at the event included the Department of Health; the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, the National Transport Authority and Tusla.
A note of the proceedings of the Annual Carers’ Forum 2023 will be made available online at Annual Carers’ Forum (www.gov.ie).
The Annual Carers’ Forum forms part of the Department of Social Protection's commitments under the National Carers' Strategy. This is a cross-departmental strategy, led by the Department of Health, sets the direction for future policies, services and supports provided by government departments and agencies for carers.
09.15 Registration/Tea/Coffee
10.00 Welcome and Opening Remarks - Teresa Leonard, Deputy Secretary General, Department of Social Protection
10.10 Address by the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD
10.20 Presentations
10.50 Tea/Coffee Break
11.15 Breakout into 4 thematic sessions
1. Department of Social Protection information, operational and policy issues including department income supports & life after caring
2. Carer Health and Well Being/Access to Health and Social Care Supports and Services
3. Housing Supports and Transport for Older People/People with Disabilities
4. Supports for Young Carers
12.15 Resumption of plenary session & Feedback from workshops
12.50 Closing Remarks - Rónán Hession, Assistant Secretary, Department of Social Protection
13.00 End of Forum