More than 72% of family carers say they have never received respite, according to a new survey by a charity which supports over 500,000 family carers across the country.
Family Carers Ireland’s latest survey – the first since 2022 – asked over 2,000 carers about the challenges they are facing.
Three quarters of respondents reported severe or moderate loneliness – and the same number also said the people they care for do not receive enough support.
Family Carers Ireland said that 69% of those surveyed said they found it difficult to make ends meet, while 72% have never received respite and 74% said the people they care for do not get sufficient formal support.
The survey also found that 49% of carers said they have paid privately for products or services that should be publicly provided, while 34% said their accommodation is not suitable to meet the needs of the person they care for.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland, said the survey “reveals a harrowing truth – family carers are being pushed to the brink.”
She said that despite promises of reform, “they have been abandoned in a broken system”.
Ms Cox added: “We are calling for immediate action to relieve the burdens experienced by family carers across Ireland.
“Urgent measures such as the abolition of the means test for Carer’s Allowance, appropriately benchmarking the payment and ensuring it is not taxed; eliminating the postcode lottery of supports and services that exists through the full implementation of the Carers’ Guarantee promised in the Programme for Government; and increasing the Housing Adaptation Grant and ensuring fair rent practices are crucial to easing the challenges faced by carers.
“Additionally, incorporating universal design principles in housing, along with vastly improved access to respite care and the establishment”.
In a statement, Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Anne Rabbitte said €15 million had been allocated to expand respite provision for carers so far this year
She said her department planned to publish a respite investment plan in the coming weeks.
