At a Brussels meeting of the European Parliament Carers Interest Group organised and chaired by Independent MEP Marian Harkin, Carers backed calls for the government to retain the half-rate Carers Allowance in the upcoming budget.

They also urged the government to put in place a transition payment for Carers whose duties are completed.

The meeting also featured an evaluation of the Nurse-led Carers Clinic - a pilot project organised and led by the Caring for Carers organisation which is based in Ennis, Co. Clare. Speaking on behalf of the project, Brigid Barron, Innovation & Programme Manager of Caring for Carers, said that the clinic service was geared to developing good practice in identifying and meeting the needs of family Carers, as identified by Carers themselves.

This involved listening to Carers in confidence and assessing their needs with regard to accessing health and social services, entitlements and other supports, bereavement supports, encouraging social interaction between Carers groups and the provision of training and respite needs.

Speaking following the meeting, which was attended by Carers from Ireland and Finland, as well MPs and MEPs from Ireland, Finland, Germany and Slovakia, North & West MEP Harkin said that "Carers are the glue which holds Irish society together. Their work and commitment is vital to maintaining our care system and in allowing those who wish to remain living in their own homes to do so".

"Without family carers, the healthcare system would collapse and the social welfare system would prove totally inadequate. Carers in Clare alone save the state an estimated €67 Million per annum," the Ireland North & West MEP concluded.