Family carers deserve support, not neglect – Wall
Family carers deserve support, not neglect – Wall - The Labour Party
- Report findings expose Government failure to properly fund homecare and support services
Labour Party Social Protection Spokesperson Mark Wall TD has said the findings of a new report from Family Carers Ireland should serve as a wake-up call to Government, after it reported that family carers continue to face significant financial pressure, poor health and wellbeing, loneliness, and inadequate access to support services.
Deputy Wall said:
“This report makes for tough reading, though unfortunately it will not come as a surprise to the thousands of family carers who live this reality every day. Behind every statistic is a person who is providing vital care for a loved one while struggling with financial pressure, isolation, exhaustion and a lack of support from the State.
“Family carers provide extraordinary support to the State. Without them, our health and social care systems would simply not function. Yet despite the enormous value of the care they provide, family carers continue to feel undervalued, unsupported and forgotten.
“The findings of this report are yet another example of how the State does not value care. Time and again, family carers are asked to carry greater responsibilities while Government fails to put in place the services and supports they need. The reality is that many carers are forced to reduce working hours, leave employment altogether and absorb significant costs in order to provide care.
“This report highlights not only the value of family care but also the State’s persistent failure to adequately fund and prioritise homecare and support for carers. Successive governments have spoken about supporting people to age at home and remain in their communities, but they have failed to deliver the meaningful homecare scheme that would make that ambition a reality.
“It is simply not good enough that carers continue to struggle to access respite services, home care support and basic assistance. The lack of investment is placing unsustainable pressure on carers and putting the wellbeing of both carers and those they care for at risk.
“We need a system that recognises the contribution carers make, supports them and ensures they can access the services they need without having to fight for every support.
“We cannot continue to build a care system on goodwill alone. Family carers save the State billions of euro every year through the care they provide, yet too many are being left behind. Government must now commit to a fully funded Carer Guarantee and finally deliver a statutory homecare scheme that meets people’s needs. Family carers have waited long enough. They deserve recognition, support and action – Government must act now.”