To ask the Minister of Health (i) for his assessment of figures from Carers NI that show 220,000 people, mostly older and female, care for a friend or family member unpaid, half of whom care more than 90 hours per week; (ii) how this situation has changed over the last five years; (iii) for his assessment of the impact on the physical and mental health of unpaid carers; (iv) what steps have been taken, or are planned, to improve the lives of unpaid carers and the ease of accessing the services available to them; and (v) to detail the ability, including funding-wise, of his Department to take steps to improve the support provided to unpaid carers.

I acknowledge the vital role played by family carers in Northern Ireland, and I recognise the significant role and contribution that family carers make, not only to the people they care for, but within the whole system of adult social care. I understand that research carried out by Carers NI showed that around 60% of unpaid carers in Northern Ireland are women, with more than 1 in 6 women in employment providing unpaid care. This research also noted that women have a 70% chance of providing care in their adult life and are more likely to care earlier in their life. Following the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of people providing some form of unpaid care will likely have increased, and this may increase further given our growing ageing population and people living longer. I am committed to raising awareness of the role that unpaid carers play in our society and ensuring they are supported and valued.

Given population demographics, it is clear that the number of family carers will continue to increase in years to come. It is therefore vital that the supports are in place to ensure that carers are supported, whether on a physical, financial, emotional or mental health basis. This is an issue that is wider than just Health, other Departments will need to consider how they can best support our family carers, now and in years to come. In 2019, a State of Caring report carried out by Carers NI showed that around 1 in 5 people in Northern Ireland were providing some form of unpaid care, and that women made up the majority of carers with 20% of women aged 45-54 providing the most unpaid care. In comparing these findings to the State of Caring report carried out in 2023, these figures have increased over the last five years, with 81% of respondents identifying as female, and 35% of those within the age range of 55-64 providing the most unpaid care. I also understand that a higher state pension age will mean people are working for longer and they therefore are more likely to be working whilst also carrying out their caring role.

I am aware of previous research by Carers NI which outlined the detrimental impact felt by unpaid carers, on their physical and mental health, as a result of their caring role. We need to find better ways to support family carers, to allow them to continue to provide care to their loved ones, but also to ensure that their own quality of life is improved and that their needs are being met. in order to support carers with their physical and mental health. Our Health and Social Care Trusts continue to grow and adapt their services to enhance supports using online activities, increasing the information available to them and via face-to-face events. Trusts continue to proactively reach out to identify unpaid carers to ensure they have the support they need.

My Department is committed to supporting family carers. In 2023, my Department established the Social Care Collaborative Forum to provide a formal mechanism to support opportunities for greater co-operation, co-production and joined up working between the Department, the social care sector, and across Government, to implement the proposals arising out of the consultation.

The work of the Forum is being taken forward through a number of workstreams, which meet on a regular basis. A Supporting Carers Workstream, co-chaired by Carers NI and my Department, has been established with a workplan focused on carers specific issues, inclusive of both adult and young carers. These issues include improving information for carers, evaluating the implementation of the current Carers Strategy, and establishing a cross departmental senior official’s group to promote cross government approaches.

We continue to work within the context of an extremely challenging financial environment. Many of the proposed reforms to adult social care are subject to confirmation of funding and will therefore require prioritisation and planning, and longer-term budget stability to ensure their delivery. My Department will continue with its ongoing efforts to support our family carers, and we are committed to providing those supports both practical and financial for them, resources permitting.