Local home carer groups should apply for €1m funding – Fitzpatrick

Fine Gael TD for Louth, Peter Fitzpatrick has called on local home carer groups to apply for part of €1 million funding announced today by Government.

“Home carers provide a vital service to families and to communities. We are particularly mindful of this during Carers Week which starts today. The services they provide are extremely valuable and often home carers lack training and other supports.

“ €1 million is being made available through the Dormant Accounts Fund for project proposals which provide training, information and related support services for home carers.

“ The new measure will be administered and managed by Pobal, which will be accepting applications from 1st July to 22nd July 2015. Pobal will also be providing a series of four regional pre-application information meetings which will take place this month.

“I cannot speak highly enough of the carers I know and meet regularly around Dundalk and throughout Co. Louth. There is no doubt that carers are not adequately rewarded for the contribution that they make to society. They keep sick and elderly people at home and in the community for longer.

“As the economy recovers, the Government is now in a position to give a little bit back and this begins with funding to support carers through training and education. I know that this will be very beneficial to many carers. I am also hopeful that the carers allowance will be included in considerations coming up to Budget 2016. This is an issue I intend to discuss with my colleagues in Government.”