Family Carers Ireland pleads with Government to tackle respite care issue

The organisation that represents Ireland's carers is pleading with the Government to tackle the problem in accessing respite care in October's budget.

Family Carers Ireland has published its pre-budget submission with a demand for a new carer's strategy that is properly funded.

They point out that Ireland's carers contribute over six million hours of care each week - in a saving to the State of over €4bn a year.

Catherine Cox is head of communications with Family Carers Ireland: “We’re finding respite centres are being closed down, by HIQA, because they are being inspected, they are not meeting standards.

“While we welcome standards and inspection what we cannot have is a situation where centres are being closed down and no alternative respite is being offered.

“And unfortunately that is what is happening.”