A Social Report for Ireland Volume II - the NESC Website

122Specific priority actions include:s Development of a National Carers Strategy;s Improvements to Carers Allowance, Carers Benefit and the Respite Care Grant;s Training and improved supports for carers; ands Provision for Family Support Services.7.6.3 Commentary on Relationships and Care for People of Working AgeThe literature on well-being emphasises the importance of relationships. Whilerelationships are often seen as private and separate from the State, the State hasan important role in monitoring trends so that policy and legislation can respondto or support these changing trends. Publications by the Department of Socialand Family Affairs on analysing family trends in Ireland and in setting out thegovernment supports available are useful in this regard.Security, recognition and equality with regard to relationships are importantdimensions in supporting positive well-being. The trends show the increasingdiversity of families in Ireland, especially the increase in cohabitation, includingsame-sex partnerships. The civil partnership legislation goes some way towardsproviding security and recognition for same-sex couples.Towards 2016 makes a number of commitments to support carers. Some of thesecommitments have been deferred in the context of the recession, including theproposed National Carers Strategy. It is important to take stock of the role of carers,their contribution to individual and collective well-being, and the impact that caringcan have on their own health and well-being. The provision of comprehensivetailored packages of care is worthy of further consideration.There is potential to improve our knowledge base on carers, and on those requiringcare, and to collect additional information on the formation and re(formation)of relationships, with associated legal, economic and social implications. Thisinformation would help us to better understand the dynamics of changing trendsand to ensure appropriate supports and legislation are in place.7.7 Community and Environment7.7.1 Measuring the Community and Environmental Well-being of People ofWorking Age in IrelandPeople’s living circumstances impact on their well-being. This section will presentindicators on three components: accommodation, community, and environment.The first component is accommodation. Accommodation is a basic need affecting thequality of people’s lives, as well as being a key component of social integration.