Almost half of carers are aged over 60 and one-fifth are caring for more than one person, a Dáil committee was told yesterday.
The Caring for Carers organisation, in a submission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs, said the vast majority (78 per cent) were caring for frail older people, and 46 per cent were themselves aged over 60. Some 21 per cent were caring for more than one dependant.
The committee is compiling a report on the position of carers.
Ms Brigid Barron, co-ordinator of Caring for Carers, said the greatest need identified by carers was for respite care in the home and day-care services.
"Family carers are an at-risk group as they focus primarily on meeting the needs of the dependent person to the detriment of their own health."
She said the association had been in contact with one woman who was missing chemotherapy appointments due to the pressures of caring for her son.
Mr Michael Ring TD said he was amazed at the number of carers who did not know their entitlements.
Ms Barron said the means test was a "poorly understood, complex process" and should be ended. Poverty was "a key issue for family carers".
In its submission Women In The Home (WITH) proposed that a system of caring vouchers be introduced.
Ms Caitríona Lynch, WITH president, said 90 per cent of the 200,000 carers did not qualify for financial support.
The group proposed a system whereby vouchers would consist of blocks of income, social welfare credits and pension credits. "The person in need of care would be able then to 'purchase' care, using these vouchers, from institutions, home helps or relatives or neighbours."
The committee also heard from Dergfinn Partnership in Co Donegal and the Finn Valley Carers' Support Group in Co Tyrone.
