Mrs Erskine said “Carers week is a valuable opportunity for us to highlight the work of carers in our community and to thank them for the work they do. Events of the last few years have highlighted the huge importance particularly of unpaid carers. That care can take many forms, from helping with shopping to taking someone to appointments to assistance with meal provision or personal care. It is a truly invaluable service and one which must be more visible in our society and more valued by it.
My colleague Mervyn Storey had previously commenced work on Private Members Legislation in the Assembly to ensure that the rights of carers in Northern Ireland are on a level footing with those in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland lags behind other UK regions and proposals would seek to strengthen the law here.
As part of the Assembly All-Party Group on Carers I want to work with colleagues from across the chamber to take forward this hugely important piece of legislation when we have an opportunity to do so. I would hope that it can be an important step forward for carers here and for us all as a community to recognise and value their work.”D
Our carers must be visible & valued: Erskine
10 Jun, 2022
Fermanagh & South Tyrone MLA Deborah Erskine has said that carers must be visible and valued in our society. Marking Carers Week 2022 she also committed to taking forward Private Members Legislation which had previously been initiated by her colleague Mervyn Storey in the Assembly.
