Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has today announced funding of almost €700,000 to support Family Carers across the country.
The initiative, under the Dormant Accounts Fund, will place a special focus on empowering Carers to avail of training and education opportunities.
There has been a positive response from Carers organisations to the initiative, following its announcement by Minister Humphreys in September.
Former carers will also be supported under the initiative, which is being rolled out by the Department of Social Protection in conjunction with Pobal.
Today, the Minister is outlining the organisations across the country who will receive financial support to empower thousands of Family Carers across the country.
Announcing the successful projects today, Minister Humphreys said: “As Minister for Social Protection, supporting our family carers has always been a key priority of mine.
“And so today, I am announcing over €700,000 to fund projects the length and breadth of the country that are designed to support family carers and the people they care for.
“I hope that these projects will provide the opportunity to family carers to engage in educational opportunities and training opportunities – further recognising and building on the unique skills they have.”
Some of the activities that will be funded under the initiative include:
Some of the activities that will be funded under the initiative include creating carer friendly work practices and policies, a career skills development programme, and the promotion of well-being and self-care strategies.
Minister Humphreys continued: “I am delighted that my department is working with our carers’ organisations to ensure this funding has a really positive impact.
“We need to make every effort to support family carers where they wish to manage both work and caring responsibilities.
“Our carers play such a vital role in society. They perform a job that so many of us simply could not do. And so, it’s vital that we support them in every way we can – that’s what this initiative is all about.”
The successful initiatives are due to commence in January 2023 and will run until June 2024. Pobal is managing the measure on behalf of the Department of Social Protection.