Archives for July 2019

[23.07.2019] New research published today provides further evidence that a postcode lottery exists for family carers whereby where you live determines what supports you can or cannot access. It also reinforces Family Carers Ireland’s call for a €110 million increase in the home supports budget in Budget 2020.

The ESRI report on the supply of ten primary and community care services in 2014 finds that the “considerable” regional inequalities cannot be explained on the basis of need. It also warns that this situation is likely to persist, meaning that the Sláintecare aim of delivering the majority of care at or closer to home is being completely undermined.

Family carers in Dublin South, Clare, Waterford, Kildare, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow, Kilkenny and Mayo are particularly impacted by the postcode lottery in the provision of home care hours for those aged 65+, with supply at least 10 per cent below the national average.

The report also highlights huge inconsistencies in the supply of medical professionals that family carers rely on including GPs, community and public health nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, counsellors and psychologists. Blackspots include Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Waterford and Clare.

Reacting to the findings, Family Carers Ireland’s Head of Communications & Carer Engagement Catherine Cox said:

“We have urgently called on Government to address the postcode lottery that exists for supports and services in the community for family carers by implementing our Carers Guarantee proposal which would provide access to vital supports (including emergency respite) in the community. We also need to see immediate investment in home care to the tune of an additional € 110 million per annum to keep pace with the current demand for home help hours. Our recently published research titled “Paying the Price” shows that the situation has gotten worse for carers in Ireland over the past 10 years – carers’ health, both physical and mental, has deteriorated as has access to respite, home care and vital therapies.

Notes to the Editor:

*The ESRI’s Geographic Profile of Healthcare Needs and Non-Acute Healthcare Supply in Ireland can be viewed here.

Family Carers Ireland’s pre-budget 2020 submission A Decade Lost can be viewed here.

Paying the Price: The Physical, Mental and Psychological Impact of Caring can be viewed here. This research was conducted by Family Carers Ireland in collaboration with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems.

[19.07.2019] Family carers are under severe financial pressure due to a lack of supports and services and the extra costs associated with providing essential care to their loved ones. Shockingly, one in four family carers providing 50+ hours of care per week do not receive Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit because of the strict eligibility criteria*.

Ireland’s 355,000 family carers are the backbone of our health and social care system, saving the State €10 billion in unpaid care every year. However, new research shows that their health and wellbeing has deteriorated significantly over the past decade, with 75% worried about not having enough money now or in the future.*

For many families, higher household costs such as heating, laundry, medicines, home modifications or specialised transport lead to financial hardship. Years spent on a low income or out of the workforce mean carers can’t repay debt, build savings or contribute to a pension while those who manage to remain in employment are likely to have to reduce their working hours, accept lower paid positions and sacrifice career progression.

Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Carer Engagement with Family Carers Ireland, says:

“It is clear from recent research that family carers are under-supported and are struggling financially. Their physical and mental health is being damaged by the fear of not having enough money in the future. Family Carers Ireland is urging the Government to use Budget 2020 to address this issue and signal its commitment to improving the lives of Ireland’s 355,000 family carers.”

Family Carers Ireland has outlined its priorities for Budget 2020 in a pre-budget submission titled ‘A Decade Lost’. The organisation is calling on the Government to:

• Increase the income disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €332.50 to €450 for a single person and €665 to €900 for a couple. The income disregard for Carer’s Allowance has remained stagnant for the past 11 years.
• Extend the allowable deductions and assess income on its net value rather than gross value. Assessing net value does not consider mortgage repayments, dependent children, college fees, medical costs, etc.
• Stop penalising families that are trying to put aside savings for the future care of their loved ones – the formula for assessing means from capital (savings, shares and property) for Carer’s Allowance should be increased in line with the Disability Allowance, where the first €50,000 of capital is disregarded rather than €20,000.
• Make Carer’s Allowance exempt from tax.
• Exclude carer payments in the financial assessment of the Working Family Payment.
• Increase the hours a carer is allowed to work/study from 15 to 18.5 per week.

Notes to the Editor:

Family Carers Ireland’s pre-budget 2020 submission A Decade Lost can be viewed here.

*Figures taken from Paying the Price: The Physical, Mental and Psychological Impact of Caring which can be viewed here. This research was conducted by Family Carers Ireland in collaboration with the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland and UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems.