§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many carers assessments have been carried out since 1 April following guidance relating to the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 in Northern Ireland. [1103]
§ Mr. MossStatistics relating to cases where individual carers have requested a separate assessment of their needs are not collected centrally.
§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to monitor the implementation of the guidance issued relating to the Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 in Northern Ireland. [1107]
§ Mr. MossHealth and social services boards were directed by the Department to offer carers a separate assessment of their own needs if so requested, as elsewhere in the UK, from 1 April 1996. This requirement was reinforced by its inclusion in "Regional Strategy for Health and Wellbeing 1997–2002". The Department will monitor the implementation of the guidance as part of the overall strategy monitoring arrangements.