AQW 13400/17-22 Written question to the Minister of Health
To ask the Minister of Health whether he has bid for money to support a carers payment.
Asked by Kellie Armstrong MLA on 26 January 2021
- Answered
- Written
- After due date
- Tabled
- 26 January 2021
- Answer due by
- 10 February 2021
- Answered
- 22 April 202186 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Health
- Priority question
- No
Answer
On 28 January I announced my intention to provide our carers with a one off award as a small recognition for the exceptional contribution that they make to our society. The Department previously secured funds for Covid-19 pressures in 20/21, including for a potential one off payment to carers.
Intense work has been undertaken to explore how such an award might be delivered. However a payment to carers will be significantly more complex to administer than recent one-off payments made to other groups. I have therefore written to my Executive colleagues requesting their support with this initiative as cross-departmental collaboration will be required. Work will continue to explore how we can make such an award a reality.
I am however pleased to have been able to allocate £4.4m to establish a new Support for Carers’ Fund. This will provide very valuable support for charities working with and for carers.