Carál Ní Chuilín
North Belfast · Sinn Féin · Northern Ireland
“To continue the theme of undermining public confidence and public effectiveness, I ask you this, Minister: why do you and your DUP colleagues continue to block the 'good jobs' Bill, particularly the measures for parents whose babies require neonatal care and, indeed, other measures that will support workers who are struggling with the cos…”
“At the end of the day, guns were used to kill Catholics — Davy Payne; surface-to-air missiles in South Africa and Paris and then some. I will give the deputy First Minister another opportunity not to deflect but to condemn her party's involvement in Ulster Resistance and with the red berets that they wore.”
“I thank the Minister for that response. I have a close family relative who is in need of a SPiMS unit in an Irish-medium school but cannot access one in North Belfast at all. Apart from access in P4 and P5, they will have to go to an English-speaking school, even though Irish is their first language.”
“You mentioned some of the issues that are important: trade union representation, the banning of zero-hours contracts and employees being able to have their tips and service charges. Anyone who cannot get behind these proposals needs to be clear — concerns for some, and hiding behind the industry for others.”
“First Minister, I know that, recently, you were in Ardoyne for the sod cutting of the new £3·4 million purpose-built youth facility for Ardoyne Youth Enterprise. Further to your response to Brian Kingston, can you give us an update on that project and, indeed, any others?”
“I agree 100%, Linda. That is something that we all agree on. We met many people. The Bill was published and was based on the report of the truth recovery process.”
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“<BR /> <BR />I appreciate that this legislation will try to amend not only the practices but, as Kellie and others have outlined, the whole process around adoption. It is a stressful journey, to be honest. Even in relation to the mother-and-baby homes from partition to 1990, I know of such — I am loath to call them "homes" — facilities that were in my constituency of North Belfast. <BR /> <BR />The preamble was good, but I want to touch on some of the absences. This is not about nitpicking; it is just about clarity. This is a substantial Bill; it has 166 clauses. There are constant references to the 1995 Children Order, which had 177 pages to read through, and, trying to cross-reference both, I still did not get an answer to my query.”
“Like other Members, Minister, I convey my support and solidarity with you and your family and, indeed, your parents and wider family. <BR /> <BR />It has been mentioned quite a few times — I am sure that this will not be the last time that you hear it, Minister and, to be fair, you mentioned it yourself — that this legislation and reform of adoption procedures is long overdue, so it is welcome. It is not lost on any of us — the Minister mentioned it yesterday in response to a question for urgent oral answer from my colleague Emma Sheerin and in relation to a question posed by Pam about adoption — that the report that we will hear about today, particularly in relation to mother-and-baby homes and Magdalene laundries, will probably outline the worst examples of how things were done.”
“Understandably, many patients feel that his refusal should also preclude him from giving further contribution to the inquiry. If he is unfit to give evidence, how can he be fit to make commentary? <BR /> <BR />I have left those texts with Minister Swann. At last week's Health Committee, he said that it was not appropriate for him to comment on the independence of the inquiry. I look forward to the public inquiry panel appearing before the Health Committee soon. I assure all the patients that we will continue to monitor this situation very closely.”
“I have since met "Jane" and other members of the patient recall group, who have shared with me the texts between Michael Watt and "Jane". It is my understanding that "Jane" referenced these texts in her statement to the neurology public inquiry. "Jane" has not yet had any response from the inquiry team, which causes her ongoing anxiety. I will share what I have with the public inquiry to ensure that it has the entirety of the exchanges. "Jane" is content for me to do so. Reading these texts is deeply distressing, to say the least. There appears to be a complete lack of acknowledgement of, let alone any regard to, the seriousness of the allegations. <BR /> <BR />A real concern is that Michael Watt, having refused to give evidence, should not be able to contribute to or comment on any forthcoming report.”
“Michael Watt will not provide evidence to the inquiry either orally or in writing, despite the inquiry's willingness to receive a general written statement. The decision by Dr Michael Watt not to contribute to the inquiry has, to say the least, deeply hurt some of his former patients. I have met some of them. The anger, hurt and mistrust that has been caused by the scandal has deeply impacted on them. Some patients have told me that they were advised not to have children as it may negatively impact on their condition; a condition that is still in dispute. <BR /> <BR />On Tuesday past, BBC 'Spotlight' revealed some texts between Dr Michael Watt and a former patient known as "Jane". The impact of those exchanges on that very vulnerable woman was nothing short of shocking.”
“I want to speak about the neurology recall scandal and revelations in the recent BBC 'Spotlight' programme. Thousands of people have already been affected by the scandal and the subsequent recall. The neurology recall patient support group made a statement to the neurology inquiry in which it thanked the team for the opportunity to submit questionnaires and give oral evidence. It has also requested a briefing from the inquiry team prior to the inquiry making a report public. Those people have suffered enough, and they continue to suffer. <BR /> <BR />Understandably, former patients of Michael Watt are dismayed and traumatised that he continues to refuse to give evidence to the inquiry.”
“We need to get the money from the British Treasury to give to health and social care, and we need to make sure that it helps the people in most need. I, along with many others, have consistently pointed out that, when it comes to keeping people well, safe and alive, they have to look no further than at our hospitals, GPs, out-of-hours, nurses and all those people — everyone involved in health and social care. They do not need anything other than our support, and they need that to be emotional, political and financial. <BR /> <BR />I support the Bill at its Second Stage and look forward to further debates and the Bill going through its full passage.”
“It would be absolutely inexcusable if this Bill did not see its full passage because people felt that this institution was not where they wanted to be. Robbie made that point in terms of the two big parties. That is, I suppose, a go-to place for parties that are not Sinn Féin or the DUP. At this stage, we need to ensure not only that this Bill survives its passage and gets through, and that these institutions are here so that that happens, but that families watching and listening to this debate have confidence in us to do our very best to pass not only this but other pieces of legislation that are waiting. <BR /> <BR />We need to get the money to help our health and social care system, which is in absolute crisis. We now have the winter pressures on top of everything else.”
“My understanding is that we have a very high rate. The Minister and, I am sure, his officials will also tell you that the staff, the intensivists, the capacity and the sites in which operations are carried out need to be protected. They also need to be invested in on a consistent basis. If any piece of that jigsaw is missing or under pressure, it has an impact on it all. <BR /> <BR />Bringing the Bill forward is absolutely the right thing to do for Dáithí, Máirtín and Seph and, I am sure, for many others. I thank the British Heart Foundation and the Irish Heart Foundation for the information that they consistently brought forward. <BR /> <BR />Robbie made the political point, and this is a political Chamber.”
“<BR /> <BR />I appreciate that the question of deemed consent is really important. However, if the legislation were to go through, if more awareness were to be created and even if more living donors were to give, it would be an absolute sin if we were not to have the capacity. Health and social care are under huge pressure.”
“I will use this opportunity to urge people to get vaccinated, not only to help themselves and their families but to protect people having other needed surgeries. <BR /> <BR />Unless there is a change in the trajectory of the virus, COVID will be further exposed. Health and social care staff are telling us that, in addition to the crisis in health and social care, they are now implementing their winter surge plans. Minister, we have seen the COVID recovery plans, but we have not seen the winter surge plans yet. We already know that the gaps in health and social care staffing that were there before COVID have been exacerbated because staff are burnt out. They are working, living and operating on fumes; the tank is empty. They are giving, giving and giving again. The transplant staff support everyone else, and vice versa.”
“Our health and social care is in absolute crisis at the minute, and we need to see further investment from the British Government for the Department of Health and the Executive to address that. I am not being political. It is a fact: the Minister said it himself. <BR /> <BR />Services such as the transplant service have continued throughout the pandemic. The issue that keeps coming back to the Health Committee and to MLAs is that life-saving operations have had to be cancelled because of COVID infection rates. When rates surge, pressure is put on our hospitals' capacity, and particularly that of our intensivists, to deal with the situation. Anyone who comes out of a transplant operation needs those intensivists. Those are the decisions that people are making.”
“I appreciate the Member for clarifying his position. I intend to keep the debate good-hearted. The Chamber is for agreement, for disagreement and for providing people with an opportunity to outline their position. Clinicians in particular — the specialists that they are, the compassion that they have, the gift that they have to give life to others — have been telling us for years that there is uncertainty that needs to be cleared up through legislation. Who are we to disagree? Disagreement is what this place is for, however. <BR /> <BR />People have said, including a surgeon whom I heard repeat it this morning, that transplants have continued to go ahead despite everything that has happened throughout COVID, albeit there were periods when it was not safe to do so.”
“With regard to some of the issues that Paul raised — I am willing to give way — I think that it is unfortunate to use concerns around deemed consent along with a view that he holds on interference from government. I have heard that from Paul on other issues. Deemed consent is an important issue, because people need to know where the differences are and what decision to make. Clinicians, families and individuals need the Bill in order to make their work a lot clearer. The official organ donation register is there, but it is only one indication.”
“Then we had Shane Finnegan and Joe Brolly, and the altruism from Joe to Shane. That is the case for many. I know at least two former MLAs who became live donors to family members. I know others who are bone marrow donors. They became donors because they were on an official register. Eight people received what Paul and others have called the "gift of life" because of Nuala Vallely's wishes, and I am sure that many others have had other experiences with their constituents or people whom they know. <BR /> <BR />Most respondents to the consultation agreed that there needed to be legislation on organ donation. The Bill will also put the issue on a statutory footing, which has been missing.”
“She was a visible stalwart in Casement Park, where she took money, sold programmes and acted as a steward. She was really into games, physical fitness and activity. Tragically, she collapsed and died, but she had had the foresight to make sure that she was on the organ donor register. For me, that is typical of a lot of people. They want to do it for the right reasons. The tragedy of her death helped eight others. I remember being so struck that I got on to the register and became an official donor. Not just the GAA but Ulster Rugby, the IFA and others became involved in campaigns, as they have done over the years. It was great to see representatives of all those sporting codes wearing the organ donation colour, which was then red, and encouraging people to become donors.”
“I am pleased that — I am sure that she and many others are pleased — hopefully, those difficulties are resolved and we will proceed with the Bill. <BR /> <BR />I am like a lot of other people. Many years ago, I made my intentions known to my family that, in the event that something happened, I wanted to be an organ donor, but I did not make the step of going on the organ donor register until March 2012, when Nuala Vallely died. She was only 41. Nuala was mother to Rachel. She was a great daughter and sister. I knew Nuala because, along with many others in the Falls Women's Centre, she looked after my son and grandson in the crèche. She was full of life and great at working with kids. There was another side to Nuala, as there are many sides to us all.”
“I thank the Minister for bringing the Bill to Second Stage. I will touch on some of the issues that Paul has raised, but I will keep that until the end. <BR /> <BR />As we speak, there are 115 people waiting for a transplant. I encourage Paul to read through the summary of responses to the consultation. It is very robust and completely transparent. As the Bill goes through the legislative process, there will be other opportunities to feed in. For anyone who has any difficulties or doubts about what it is, that information will certainly help to clear it up. Lá tábhachtach atá ann. It is a very important and historic day for the people who have been waiting for the legislation. I remember some of the difficulties around Jo-Anne's Bill.”
“I have realised that lots of words that I use in English originate from Ulster Scots. I am quite happy about that. Simultaneous translation, Mike, does not mean that I speak for two and a half minutes in Irish. It means that as I speak in Irish, and hopefully I will be able to speak in Irish fluently, the translation happens alongside that. It is about more employment and better services, and it will make this place more inclusive. <BR /> <BR />In conclusion, I will step back into my position as Chair. NDNA provided for Assembly business to be conducted through Irish or Ulster Scots and for a simultaneous interpretation system. It must be made available. On that basis, the Committee on Procedures tabled today's motion, which I urge the Assembly to support. I thank everyone sincerely for their contributions.”
“Some of us have two or three jobs, but we contribute to this community. We know the value of money. We are also grandparents and parents. Some of us do not have any children at all. As a society, we need to try to go beyond some of the sentiments that have caused us great difficulty, even this week. It has been said that when you make agreements, you need to stick to them. There are parts of NDNA that some of us like and parts of it that some of us do not like, but we put our big girl and big boy pants on and came back to this place to try to do our best. On that basis, we need to continue to do so. <BR /> <BR />Patsy, Pat, Seán, Tom: there are a couple of us here who do our best to speak in Irish. I would like to think that I may learn Ulster Scots one day. I am not being flippant about that.”
“I appreciate that the Member is sincere. I do not think there is an offensive bone in his body; I want to make that clear. However, when it comes to the Irish language, everybody knows the cost of everything and the value of nothing. That needs to stop in this House. We all absolutely need to be cognisant of value for money, but the value that we, as Members of this legislative Assembly, place on something that has caused great difficulty and, indeed, great offence and hurt will go a long way. See that? You can never put a cost on that. <BR /> <BR />Everyone has been completely passionate, compassionate and, indeed, fair in their assumptions and contributions. Gaeilgeoirí are taxpayers, too. They are on waiting lists. They are waiting on educational statementing processes for their children.”
“We need to appeal not only to people outside this Chamber but to representatives who, hopefully, will be here in the future.”
“I want to depart from the Committee's position and say a few words on my own behalf in response to some of the commentary. I am making that clear in case some of the things that I say offend people. I will address Mr Allister's point at the end. When we look at section 75, do we ask how many gay people are in the Assembly before we provide equality for them? No, we absolutely do not. Anyone who asks questions like that needs to be put out of the Chamber. OK? In relation to the amendment, a Robbie, go díreach cúpla focal le rá ar dtús: tóg é agus tiocfaidh siad. Build it, and they will come. That is what we need to do, because tá mé ag foghlaim na Gaeilge. Tá mo chlann líofa sa Ghaeilge; níl mé líofa go fóill. I am not fluent yet, but I hope to be, and my kids and grandkids are fluent.”
“No, we did not do a survey. I will address some of the Member's concerns at the end of my comments, if he does not mind. The direct answer to his question is, "No, we did not". <BR /> <BR />Other Members have spoken about the need for Ulster Scots. To be fair, the Committee noted that position. We were very respectful about the difference in its development, but, in considering demand, we have to consider not only our requirements as Members but those of Committee witnesses. <BR /> <BR />The Committee therefore recognises that there will be challenges for the Commission. In undertaking the recruitment, it will be necessary to test the market. That is a prudent way to go.”
“The estimated costs were provided to us, and they have been set out in correspondence from the Committee to all Members. <BR /> <BR />Simultaneous interpretation can be provided on an active or passive basis. As I said, we decided to go for passive interpretation. We also considered the issue of how many meetings simultaneous interpretation could be provided for at any one time. There are occasions when four Committees meet at the same time. We need to look at costs as we go along to ensure that we are able to provide simultaneous interpretation at all meetings in those circumstances.”
“Go raibh maith agat, a LeasCheann Comhairle. First, I will say a few words as Chair of the Committee on Procedures. I will make it clear when I step out of that role. <BR /> <BR />I welcome the debate on the simultaneous interpretation of Assembly business. I thank Members, even those with whom I fundamentally do not agree, for their contributions. That is exactly what the Chamber is for. <BR /> <BR />A number of Members referred to the costs of introducing simultaneous interpretation. I want to be clear: in proposing the motion, the Committee recognised the importance of ensuring value for money and, consequently, gave careful consideration to advice that was provided on many different scenarios. That included options associated with active versus passive interpretation.”
“The position that the Committee arrived at is reflected in the motion and is set out in my correspondence. It was arrived at following a Division, the outcome of which was five votes in favour of the measure and four against it. Therefore, on behalf of the Committee on Procedures, I commend the motion to the House.”
“The Committee recognises that there may be challenges for the Commission in undertaking that recruitment and that it will be necessary to test the market to establish that. The Committee will seek updates from the Assembly Commission in order to ensure that the proposed arrangements can be implemented as intended.”
“The Committee appreciates, however, that the Assembly Commission will need to make whatever other arrangements may be necessary for the operation of such a system, including the recruitment of interpreters and installation of the required infrastructure. The motion provides for the Assembly Commission to do that. However, should any procedural issues arise in the making of those other arrangements, the Committee is clear that it will be for the Commission to revert to the Committee for clarification and/or direction. <BR /> <BR />Officials advised the Committee of some difficulties that had been experienced a number of years ago in respect of the availability of suitably skilled people to provide interpretation, particularly in Ulster Scots.”
“These included options that were associated with active versus passive interpretation and options that were associated with providing simultaneous interpretation at one, two or four meetings at any one time. <BR /> <BR />Finally, given that the Assembly Commission is responsible for providing the Assembly with the property, staff and services that are required for its purposes, the Committee's motion directs the Assembly Commission to provide the simultaneous interpretation system. The purpose of the motion is therefore both to confirm that the Assembly requires a simultaneous interpretation system and to provide clarity to the Commission on the type of system that is required.”
“The Committee noted that this has obvious resource advantages, but essentially takes away from Members the freedom to speak in the language of their choice when they choose. Consequently, as far as plenary business is concerned, the Committee is satisfied that Members who wish to speak in Irish or Ulster Scots, and whose contributions will be interpreted simultaneously, do not need to provide advance notice of their intention to do so. <BR /> <BR />In respect of the scale of the provision, the Committee recognises the importance of ensuring value for money, and consequently gave careful consideration to the advice provided on the costs of simultaneous interpretation in various scenarios.”
“The Committee noted that the interpretation that is currently provided at both Houses of the Oireachtas and in the Welsh Parliament is passive. Broadly speaking, active interpretation requires twice as many interpreters and, consequently, more financial and staffing resource. Having considered those issues, the Committee is therefore satisfied that the provision of a passive service is most appropriate for the Assembly. <BR /> <BR />Furthermore, the Committee also noted that the Assembly has never placed a requirement on Members to provide advance notice or seek permission to use a language other than English. The Houses of the Oireachtas and the Welsh Parliament are the same in that regard.”
“I will now cover some of the Committee's considerations on the issue. During its consideration, the Committee sought and received a briefing from Assembly Commission officials on a wide range of issues, including the practical, logistical and financial implications associated with introducing simultaneous translation and interpretation into the Assembly. I provided further details from those briefings to Members in my correspondence prior to the debate. <BR /> <BR />In addition, the Committee heard about the difference between passive and active interpretation. In essence, a passive service at the Assembly would be one in which any Irish or Ulster Scots that was spoken was interpreted in English, whereas an active service would be one in which business that was conducted in English was also interpreted in Irish and Ulster Scots.”
“That, of course, includes Irish or Ulster Scots. The Committee is therefore satisfied that it is unnecessary to amend Standing Orders in order to enable a Member to speak in Irish or Ulster Scots in either plenary or Committee proceedings. The introduction of a system of simultaneous interpretation, as envisaged by NDNA, would mean that the practice of Members having to provide a consecutive interpretation would no longer be necessary when speaking in Irish or Ulster Scots. The Committee has therefore agreed that Members should be able to speak in Irish or Ulster Scots in Assembly proceedings without the need to provide a consecutive interpretation, and that, as set out in NDNA, a simultaneous interpretation system should therefore be made available in the Assembly:”
“However, Members will know that Standing Order 78 already provides:”
“For the purposes of clarity, I say that the Committee on Procedures did not have an opportunity to consider the amendment, and, therefore, it has no agreed position on it. The Committee noted that 'NDNA' cites:”
“The Committee on Procedures initially took the view that it would consider the matter in the context of the planned progress of the three Bills. The Committee wrote to the First Minister and deputy First Minister, in 2020 and again in 2021, seeking clarification about when the Bills would be introduced. However, the Committee has still not been provided with a time frame for the introduction of those Bills. <BR /> <BR />The Committee is satisfied that it is not necessary to await the Executive's legislation before it addresses the matters set out in paragraph 5.21.2. In deciding to take that approach, the Committee is conscious that any further delay in looking at this issue could leave insufficient time to have agreed arrangements in place for the start of the next mandate. <BR /> <BR />I note the amendment that has been proposed.”
“<BR /> <BR />Paragraph 5.21.2 in 'New Decade, New Approach' makes specific provision in respect of the Assembly. It says:”
“I am pleased to bring this motion to the House today, on behalf of the Committee on Procedures. It proposes to introduce simultaneous interpretation of Assembly business in Irish and Ulster Scots, as set out in the New Decade, New Approach (NDNA) agreement. Amongst other things, NDNA addressed a range of rights, language and identity issues. It provided that the First Minister and deputy First Minister, supported by junior Ministers in the Executive Office, would sponsor and oversee a new framework, recognising and celebrating the North's diversity of identities and culture and accommodating cultural difference. It said that the 1998 Act would be amended and that three Bills would be introduced in order to make legislative provision for a range of rights relating to language and identity.”
“Taking note of the responses from the Business Committee and the CLG, the Committee was of the view that, rather than return to the issue more frequently, it would be better to extend the provisions for longer, as removing or suspending them at a later date would be an easier process. Subsequently, the Committee agreed to draft a motion to extend the temporary provisions to the end of the current 2017-2022 mandate. On behalf of the Committee, I commend the motion to the House.”
“The Committee looked at a number of options: to do nothing; to agree to extend the temporary provisions until the end of this year; to agree to extend the temporary provisions until the end of the mandate; or to agree to extend the temporary provisions to an alternative date. To help inform any decision, the Committee wrote to the Business Committee and the Chairpersons' Liaison Group (CLG) to seek their views on whether there was any support for the further extension of the provisions. Both agreed that a sensible and precautionary approach would be to extend the provisions. The Business Committee recommended extending them until the end of 2021, while the CLG expressed a slight preference for extending them to the end of the current mandate. <BR /> <BR />At its meeting of 2 June 2021, the Committee further considered the issue.”
“Thankfully, the current situation with the pandemic is not as grave as it was back then. That is good and something to base our hopes on, and the roll-out of the vaccine and people adhering to public health advice have paid dividends. We still need to be cautious, however. <BR /> <BR />The temporary provisions in Standing Orders 110 to 116 include provisions for a reduction of Members required in the Chamber, allowing Members to attend remotely and to vote by proxy. They also include important provisions to allow Committees to continue to operate their important scrutiny role. <BR /> <BR />Given that the temporary provisions will cease to have effect on 3 July, the Committee agreed that it would consider whether to further extend the Standing Orders.”
“As we are all very aware, however, the surge of the pandemic and the increased transmissibility of COVID-19 has resulted in the temporary provisions remaining in place. <BR /> <BR />Since March 2020, the Committee has continued to keep the Standing Orders under review and has brought motions to the House on two separate occasions to extend the provisions. The most recent Committee motion, to extend the provisions to 3 July 2021, was agreed by the Assembly on 26 January this year. At that time, the Committee was cognisant of the increasing and alarming rate at which the disease was spreading and how more and more people were getting ill and requiring hospital treatment. That was reflected when Standing Order 110A was introduced to make provision for hybrid proceedings in February of this year.”
“On behalf of the Committee on Procedures, I am pleased to bring the motion to the House, which proposes to amend Standing Order 110 relating to the temporary provisions of Standing Orders 110 to 116. Standing Orders 110 to 116 were agreed by the Assembly on 27 March 2020. The temporary provisions allowed Assembly business and Committee operations to continue whilst adhering to public health advice and keeping Members and staff here as safe as possible. Earlier this year, Standing Order 110A was introduced, which made provision for hybrid proceedings. <BR /> <BR />When the temporary provisions were initially agreed, a time frame of up until 30 September 2020 was set, with the provisions ceasing to have effect following that date.”
“Sin a bhfuil agam le rá. That is all from me. Thank you very much.”
“Go raibh maith agat, as sin. Peter, thank you very much for that intervention and for sharing your personal experience. <BR /> <BR />If any financial recognition could be given to carers, it would be much appreciated. As I was saying before the intervention, there are many different levels of pressure on carers, but there is pressure. For people with dementia and Alzheimer's, the pressure is more extreme. As we are aware, the impact that COVID had on such situations was huge. For young carers like Paula, who got in contact with me, even getting a namecheck in the Assembly was good enough.”
“As we come out of COVID, it is important to recognise their contribution. Trying to cocoon people and keep them safe was the right thing to do at the time. However, I have seen that, as a result, any contact that the young carers used to have, even standing having a yarn, or standing, as we in terrace houses do, at our front door with a cup of tea at night, stopped. <BR /> <BR />One of the things that I thought was great about the local food bank was that, as we dropped food off, they dropped off Haribos and different things that were more age-appropriate for the young carers, just to let them know that people were thinking about them. <BR /> <BR />For us as a society, for the Department and for me, the recognition of carers is critical. We must give them additional support.”
“However, these young people felt really isolated and anxious during the pandemic. In some, because of the way in which things happened, I could also see depression starting to set in. Their network was probably their friends on social media. While their friends talked about doing different things, the young carers acted responsibly and underplayed their caring role. <BR /> <BR />From my short but important time on the Health Committee, I learnt that there are few aspects of health that carers are not a part of. There is recognition, rightfully so, of the health and social care system, particularly during the pandemic. There was, and still is, an awareness of the role that pharmacists, GPs, nurses and so on played. However, it is important that we recognise the role that carers played pre-pandemic and will continue to play.”
“Indeed, local shopkeepers know who the carers are. GPs, or staff in their surgeries, know who they are. When it came to vaccinations — the Minister will remember this — there was concern about certain carers getting vaccinated. It would be good if health and social care could wrap itself around those carers and make sure that the register is formalised and updated. <BR /> <BR />I want to talk about another issue, and I have seen this a lot in my constituency. I am working with three young people who are carers for their elderly grandparents, who reared them. They are looking after their grandparents while trying to finish their education and training. Some of them are trying to hold down part-time jobs as well. You will not hear them say a bad word about their situation. They think, as we all do, that they are giving something back.”
“You can see the pressure on them, and, as a family member, you feel guilty about that. <BR /> <BR />Paula and other Members mentioned the notion of a carers' register, and I think that that is important and would be beneficial. For example, when COVID started last year and a lot of us were out delivering food parcels and looking after people, there was a local register. It showed who was caring for somebody, and it was about getting food, fuel and prescriptions to them. Pharmacists know who the carers are because, more often than not, they get the blister packs delivered to the carers.”