Young family carers in need of 'dedicated supports’, say Cork TDs 

Cork TDs called for supports for young carers in a Dáil debate on a motion introduced by the Labour Party.

Young carers are people under the age of 18 who provide care, assistance or support to another family member in the home.

Among the initiatives the motion called for were the introduction of a young carer grant, ensuring guaranteed respite days for young carers; school-based initiatives that support the educational needs of young carers; and additional home-care supports, so that young carers have time for themselves.

Cork North Central TD Eoghan Kenny said in the Dáil that the motion was really important: “A huge number of people across the country provide 24-7, dedicated care to family members.

“Right now, in this country, neither the department of education nor the department of children have dedicated support programmes for young carers in Ireland.”

Mr Kenny added that the party’s motion followed a meeting with Family Carers Ireland and four young carers, one of whom said he “lives in constant fear” to get home quickly in case something happened while he was at college. 

"One girl told us that she felt invisible in school and expressed her concerns at 14 years of age at the lack of support and services available in our schools”, he added.

Tragically neglected 

Social Democrats TD for Cork East, Liam Quaide, also spoke in favour of the motion, saying: “Family carers are a large group of people, who have been tragically neglected by the State.

Mr Quaide said: “They provide vital unpaid care, often under severe financial pressure and with huge personal sacrifice. In the case of young carers, this sacrifice can include losing out on parts of childhood and carrying unsustainable emotional burdens.”

He said that from his previous work as a psychologist he knew that the role of a young carer can give a person strengths and positive qualities, but “can also have complex impacts on identity and mental health, and can place the young person in a role that is developmentally at odds with their actual age”.

No recognition

Labour councillor for Cork city north east John Maher told The Echo: “Right now, there is no recognition of the unpaid work of young carers in our social protection system.

“Shockingly, one in four young carers have gone to school or bed hungry, because there was not enough food at home.

“This is a scandal. In Ballyvolane, Mayfield and Glanmire, I have spoken with families struggling to get the support they need, and it is clear that urgent action is required.”