Long term care for older people while it is primarily the responsibility of Members States is also an issue for the European Union because of its nature and magnitude.

This was stated by Marian Harkin MEP when she spoke in favour of a motion in the European Parliament, today Thursday, September 9th.

She said: “Given the current demographics the issue of long term care for older people is a European issue and while it is primarily the responsibility of the Member State – nonetheless because of the nature and magnitude of the situation - it is definitely an EU matter.  One of the issues highlighted, which I support, is the necessity to take account of the needs of informal carers.

“They provide a significant proportion of care for older people and Member States must take concrete measures to support and safeguard this invaluable resource by way of training, respite provisions and measures to reconcile work and family life.

“Also I fully support the resolution where it asks that guarantees be put in place in Member States to protect the fundamental rights of persons receiving long term care and that Members States ensure the enforcement of, and compliance with, quality criteria for service provision”, Marian Harkin MEP concluded.