A special €5 million fund should be allocated in the forthcoming Budget to support young people who are caring for sick relatives, a carers support group said today.
In its pre-Budget submission, the Carers Association said there are currently 5,400 young people aged between 15 and 19 years providing unpaid care to a family or relative in Ireland.
Over 1,000 of these young Carers provides care for over 15 hours per week while almost 500 give 43 hours or more every week caring for a family member.
"We are calling on Government to create a special fund of €5 million for further research and supports to our young Carers", said the group's chief executive Enda Egan.
"Caring with no supports means these young carers are vulnerable and exposed to a lot of dangers including risks to their mental health, physical health and their schoolwork," he said.
The association estimates there are 161,000 family carers providing over 3.5 million hours of caring work per week. The current Carers Allowance the payment works out at approximately €1.10 per hour, it said.
In its submission, presented to Government today, the association called for an increase the Carers Allowance to €338 per week and the removal of the means test.
Mr Egan said the health of carers is suffering due to the lack of financial assistance and supports.
"Family carers usually take on their role out of necessity and while it can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience, by the very nature of the caring role, family carers experience much stress, frustration and isolation which can have a very negative impact on their health and well-being," he said.
"Despite saving the state over €2 billion per year, family Carers still face many inequalities and many are living just above the bread-line," he added.
