Press Statement from Frances Fitzgerald MEP
Monday 15th September 2021
Von Der Leyen announces European Care Strategy
Announcement follows EPP Group, Fitzgerald and Radtke proposals
Frances Fitzgerald, MEP for Dublin and full member of the Women’s Rights and Gender Equality Committee, today (Wednesday) warmly welcomed the announcement by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, that she will put forward a European Care Strategy in 2022, as called for by EPP Group, Fitzgerald, and Radtke. The announcement came as part of her annual State of the EU speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
MEP Fitzgerald commented, “Since my election to the European Parliament, I have prioritised the development of a Care Strategy across Europe, in Ireland and within the EPP Group. Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement today of a European Care Strategy is a hugely significant and important step for carers in Europe and I warmly welcome it, as is her commitment to a law on tackling violence against women.”
In my report on “The gender perspective in the COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis period” which was adopted by the European Parliament in January, I outlined that I believe that the EU can do more when it comes to care, including harnessing EU funds for care infrastructure, collecting data on the situation of carers across the EU and sharing best practices. I called for the European Commission to put forward a proposal for a European Care Strategy back then, and I am delighted today to see it becoming a reality.”
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, right across the European Union, the enormous contribution that carers make to our societies was clear to see. The daily and hourly contributions, providing care for and supporting others within our societies, often unpaid and unrecognised, became apparent. However the faults in the system also became apparent, an outdated care system breaking down and requiring monumental change.”
“As such, in July, my Group in the European Parliament, the EPP Group, adopted and launched our position paper written by Dennis Radtke MEP and I for a European Care Strategy. We firmly believe that supporting carers is essential as we continue our COVID-19 recovery and rebuilding, and as we shape a new European future. By investing in our carers, we also support those who are cared for, benefitting our society as a whole.”
“I look forward to working closely with the European Commission as they develop and launch the European Care Strategy. Our carers deserve the best, and we will make sure that the European Union is caring for our carers. I also warmly welcome the commitment by Ursula von der Leyen to propose a law to combat violence against women by the end of the year. There has been a horrifying increase in the instance of violence against women since the beginning of COVID-19: we can have no tolerance for such a crime and I look forward to working quickly to adopt the Commission’s proposal.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Link to EPP Group Proposal for a European Care Strategy: https://www.eppgroup.eu/newsroom/publications/epp-group-position-paper-on-a-european-care-strategy
Link to State of the European Union Address: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/SPEECH_21_4701
Contact:
Una Clarke
+353 85 8167678
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