Ireland North & West MEP Marian Harkin last week invited a delegation of Irish Carers to attend and provide valuable input to a key meeting in Brussels of the European Parliament Interest Group on Carers.

The meeting, hosted by Independent MEP Harkin, and featuring a keynote presentation from EU Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes, explored ways in which EU innovation funding can explore new ways of using technology to improve the work of Carers.

Specifically, the meeting outlined how the EU's "Active and Healthy Ageing Innovation Partnership" is one of the first initiatives that explicitly and concretely targets Carers. This is an important step forward in recognising the growing number of older people and increasing care needs, and the huge and indispensable contribution made by Carers in this respect.

Pictured at the meeting in Brussels of the European Parliament Interest Group on Carers, held by Marian Harkin MEP and featuring a keynote presentation from EU Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes are (from left):   Mary McMahon, (CEO Caring for Carers), EU Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes,  Marian Harkin MEP, Brigid Barron (Director, Caring for Carers)