Independent MEP Marian Harkin today (4 July) praised MEPs for backing a report calling for the vital role of Carers to be given greater recognition and support, reflecting their vulnerability to EU austerity measures. Speaking from Strasbourg, Harkin - who Chairs the European Parliament Carers Interest Group - noted that "in the middle of all these political debates about austerity, it is all-too-easily forgotten that these decisions affect real people who are living with the impact of the current crisis, some of whom are being asked to pay an unacceptably high price.
Speaking from Strasbourg, Harkin - who Chairs the European Parliament Carers Interest Group - noted that "in the middle of all these political debates about austerity, it is all-too-easily forgotten that these decisions affect real people who are living with the impact of the current crisis, some of whom are being asked to pay an unacceptably high price.
"This high price effectively means that in Ireland, there are huge difficulties in accessing home care packages at the moment.
"Firstly, the person who needs care often simply has to do without it. They lose their dignity, their quality of life is severely compromised and those who have mobility or disability problems can lose independence and control over their own lives.
"Secondly, informal or family carers are under unbearable pressure, stretched beyond limits, with little or no assistance, no respite in some cases, and real evidence of a serious impact on Carers' mental and physical health.
"Most Carers are happy to Care, but they need some support and some respite. If they are denied this support - as many currently are - then Caring can become an unbearable strain which takes over their lives entirely and traps them in their homes. This is the worst possible outcome for Carers themselves and those they Care for. If family Carers are to continue to bear an increasing burden of care provision in Ireland, then support and respite systems are an absolute necessity," the Ireland North & West MEP concluded
