A Co Laois woman has been named the Netwatch Family Carer of the Year 2024.
Sarah Dooley, a mother of four from Mountmellick, took the overall award at a ceremony in Dublin on Thursday to acknowledge Ireland’s 500,000 family carers, who provide 19 million hours of unpaid care every week. The awards, hosted by broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, are in their 17th year.
Ms Dooley’s youngest boys, twins John and Patrick (5), are autistic and non-verbal. Her son Cathal (7) has been undergoing treatment for leukaemia for the past three years, requiring constant hospital visits.
She has fought to secure school placements for the twins and has put her career on hold to care full-time for her children. She and her partner Cathal were refused places in special school 38 times, 19 times each for the twins. “It was soul-destroying,” she said. The children now have a place in school.
She admitted she had never been in a five-star hotel before she arrived at the Westin Hotel in Dublin to pick up her award.
She thanked her partner Cathal and her wider family for the support they have given to help her manage with the three children who have special needs. “There isn’t many supports available for the twins. Family support is a massive thing for us,” she said.
In advance of the election, she said the next Government will “have to provide more services for children with additional needs, speech and language, occupational therapy – none of that is available”.
Family Carers Ireland spokeswoman Catherine Cox praised Sarah’s exceptional dedication. “She will be an incredible ambassador for carers,” she said.
The issue of carers came to the forefront of the general election campaign following Fine Gael leader Simon Harris’s confrontation with disability care worker Charlotte Fallon in Kanturk, Co Cork last Friday.
Ms Cox said the incident brought the issue of disability and care to the forefront of the election. “It highlighted how we should support our family carers. Nobody should do it on their own and they shouldn’t have to. I hope, when people are voting tomorrow, that they will vote for a party which believes in supporting family carers.
“Family carers shouldn’t have to fight for basic supports like therapies and medical support, yet they do.
“The next Government must take decisive action to address their urgent needs and fully recognise their vital role in society. Throughout this campaign, family carers have voiced their frustration with empty promises and inaction – this election must be the moment for real, lasting change.”
Five young carers from across the country, Shannon Egan (16) from Co Westmeath; Ellen Gannon (11) from Co Limerick; Sarah Conway (11) from Co Mayo; Lucy Connor (14) from Co Monaghan; and Senan Vaughan (12) from Co Dublin, were also honoured for their support for siblings and parents with additional needs.
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