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Following the passing of a motion calling for increased financial support for young carers put forward by Councillor Laura Devlin a Newry City Councillor has called for a Health Minister to be put in place and an Executive to be formed to support carers in the community.
Councillor Geraldine Kearns spoke after supporting the motion at last night's full council meeting of Newry, Mourne and Down District Council.
Cllr Kearns said “Carers do vital work, working long hours to care for their loved ones, however, they receive very little support in doing this work. This is deeply concerning.
“The council has passed a motion to write to the Department of Health and ask for more support for our hard working carers."
Cllr Kearns continued “CarersNI estimates that unpaid carers save our Health Service more than £4.5bn in costs every year, but we cannot expect them to continue to prop up the health service with little to no support in return.
“Our carers need a Health Minister in place and an Executive working together to invest in the health service, to give proper support to our carers and make their needs a priority.”
Notice of Motion - Young Carers
Notice of Motion received from Councillor Devlin
Noting that there are currently 220,000 unpaid carers across the North; recognising the essential role that young carers in particular play within the community; expressing its concern that during holiday periods such carers can face increased stress, loneliness and isolation, and further noting that unpaid carers save the government an estimated £1million per year, this Council agrees to write to the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Health calling for increased financial support for these unpaid carers to be used for respite, residential breaks or recreation for their health and well-being.
