The Carers Association

Frank GoodwinChairperson

What & Who we Are

• Registered Company

• Non-Profit

• NGO

• Members are mainly Carers

Who we Are

• Carers are relatives or friends

• Non-paid workers in the home

• Providing essential care for those with serious illness or disabilities.

History of Carers Association1987 – 2009

• 1987: Conference on Carers of Older People

• 1987 : 5 people decided to form a Carers Association

• Priorites were: Lobbying, Publicity & Support Groups

Carers Association Today

• National NGO

• 18 Centres around Ireland

• 200 Staff

• Turn over in 2008: €5.8 Million

• 1,000 members, 10,000 on database

Our Services

• Advocacy• Training• Support Groups• Careline (Phone)• Information• Website• Home Respite Care• Drop-in centres

Facts about Family Carers

Census Question

Facts from Census 2006

• 160,917 Carers = 4.8% of population

• 62% female.

• 11% over 65 years of age.

• 40,883 provide full time care

• 90,544 are in paid working & Caring (56%).

CARERS’ WORK

ECONOMIC VALUE

• 3.7 million hours a week

• €2.5 billion per year.

Research Findings

CARERS ISSUES

1. Access to information on rights, entitlements

2. Availability of respite and emergency care

3. Stress and emotional strain of caring

4. Recognition of the role and contribution of Carers

5. Assistance applying for statutory entitlements

6. Isolation and loss of independence

7. Financial difficulties.

Government Financial Support Carers in 2008

• 43,569 Carers receive the Carers

Allowance each week.

• 2,628 Carers received Carers Benefit.

• 54,426 Carers received the Respite

Care Grant, once a year.

CARERS ALLOWANCE &

RESPITE GRANT

• Maximum Rate = €220 per week

• Respite Grant once a year for verified full time carers = €1,700

• Other entitlements: Medical Card etc

• The above are all Means Tested

SUMMARY

• Carers are an integral part of our health and social services provision

• Carers work 3.7 million hours per week

• Save the State €2.5 billion per year

Challenge CUT BACKS

• Due to Government Policy & Action, there is and will continue to be greater demands & stresses on Family Carers.

• Due to an ageing population there will be more older people to be cared for at home than ever before.

CUT BACKS

• Home Helps

• Home Care Packages

• Home modification Grants

• Rural Transport

CUT BACKS

• Delayed admission to hospitals

• Early discharge from hospital

• Waiting lists for nursing homes

• Priority given to hospitals for nursing home admissions

Proposed Budget Cut Backs

• Respite Grants

• Half Rate Carer’s Allownace

• Christmas double payment

• 3-5% cut in all Social Payments.

What we are doing about it

• Empower Carers

• Lobbying Elected Members of Parliament

• Lobbying Local elected Representatives

• Meeting key Ministers & Opposition

• Working with other NGO

It’s not about charity

It’s about Equality & Justice

Thank you