Launch of DISCOVER/ Hello Carers in Dublin on 12th of June was a huge succes! Thanks to Lucia Carragher, Karen Doherty and Andrew MacFarlane.

I went to Dublin especially for that occasion (ok, also to have fun, which is easy to achieve in Dublin). I was very impressed by the Minister for Disability, Older People, Equality and Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch. She arrived on foot with no ‘officials’ around her, very informal and accessible, unlike what I am used to in The Netherlands. And I had the honour to join her and Olive Houston, a young Irish lady who is an informal carer herself, plus Andrew Macfarlane (CASALA) for a photo session. I am looking forward to see that picture published somewhere vain old man that I am.

Kathleen Lynch made a short speech in which she praised the informal carers in Ireland for their contribution to the Discover/ Hello Carers website and also CASALA for their efforts. I think that Dani Blanco and his team from CETEMMSA also should be thanked for their efforts to deliver such a good product!

Afterwards, Senator Mary Moran (Seanad Labour Spokesperson on Education, Disability, Equality and Mental Health) and I discussed the Discover project activities at the different pilot sites. She was very interested and invited us to coffee at the Parliament House around the corner, where I promised her to keep her posted about the Discover activities in The Netherlands.

Next to walking around Templar Bar on a dry and even sunny day, drinking a (small!) Guinness in a hundred year old bar and listening to live Irish music, this Launch was making my short trip to Dublin very worthwhile.

Hein

The Netherlands