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"Carers enable many thousands of vulnerable people to live independent lives in their own homes for longer than they would otherwise be able to do. With our rapidly ageing population the need for carers is going to be even more crucial in the years ahead if we want to continue to support people in their desire to live at home for as long as possible.
Carers carry a huge responsibility in looking after friends or loved ones and whilst this can often be rewarding it can also be demanding and challenging so sometimes carers find they need help themselves. It is vital that we provide the necessary flexible and responsive support to allow carers to continue to care for as long as they wish and are enjoy a quality of life that the rest of us often take for granted. As you know my Department published a carers' strategy, Caring for Carers, in January 2002 and I am fully committed to ensuring that the strategy is fully implementted so that, in a practical way, carers feel valued and supported." - Michael McGimpsey, MLA, Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety
"I understand that carers are a very important part of our society and save our government millions of pounds each year in care costs.....and as a member of the NI Assembly I will do as much as I can to assist you in any future issues you may face" - John McCallister MLA, Ulster Unionist Party
"Carers provide an invaluable service to those who need it be they members of their own family or neighbours. They give an example to us of what the term 'care in the community' really means" - Alex Maskey MLA, Sinn Fein
"Carers play an invaluable role and often unseen role in providing day to day care for those with real needs in our community. Caring for family or friends who are ill or suffering with a disability can be a stressful and often isolating experience..... It is paramount that society gives due recognition and support to the outstanding work of all our carers" - Naomi Long MLA, Alliance Party
"Both as a public representative and as a former Social Worker, I am well aware of the benefits to society of providing proper levels of support to carers. Not only do the efforts of voluntary carers save significant sums of taxpayers money, but - far more important - they enable those who need care to remain where they wish, in their own homes. Government has to provide much better support to carers. This must involve the provision of enhanced respite care and domiciliary services, as well as benefits targeted at meeting additional costs and replacing lost earnings" - David Ford MLA, Leader of the Alliance Party
Support was also given from -
Roy Beggs MLA, Ulster Unionist Party
Lord Browne of Belmont MLA, Democratic Unionist Party
Robert Coulter MLA, Ulster Unionist Party
Kieran Deeny MLA, Independent
Nigel Dodds MP MLA, Democratic Unionist Party
Pat Doherty MP MLA, Sinn Fein
Samuel Gardiner MLA, Ulster Unionist Party
Councillor Bernie Kelly, The Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast
Kieran McCarthy MLA, Alliance Party
Nelson McCausland MLA, Democratic Unionist Party
David McClarty MLA, Ulster Unionist Party
Ian McCrea MLA, Democratic Unionist Party
Conor Murphy MLA, Sinn Fein
Robin Newton MLA, Democratic Unionist Party
Michelle O'Neill MLA,
Dawn Purvis MLA, Progressive Unionist Party
Sue Ramsey MLA, Sinn Fein
Margaret Ritchie MLA, Social Democratic and Labour Party
Iris Robinson MP MLA, Chairperson of the Northern Ireland Assembly Health, Social Services and Public Safety Committee
Jimmy Spratt MLA, Democratic Unionist Party
