Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Labour Party for moving this motion to ensure this important issue is aired in the Dáil Chamber. I too welcome the delegation who are here to witness proceedings. This debate provides an opportunity to discuss the challenges, frustrations and failings that carers grapple with daily. It allows us to acknowledge the immense contribution they make to the loved ones they care for and to society as a whole. The motion proposes measures that will improve their situations and their outcomes. Young carers and young adult carers provide care, assistance and support to other family members, be that a parent, a sibling, a grandparent or sometimes their own children, who can have myriad issues. It could be to do with illness or disability, difficulties with mental health or drug or alcohol misuse. They do so on an unpaid basis. As other Deputies have pointed out, this saves the State a fortune in the process. There are tens of thousands of these carers in communities across the State. While they provide the care out of love and loyalty, we must also acknowledge the very real context. They provide care because State services have failed them and the person they care for. They are filling the gaps that have been left by the State, that should not exist in 2025. We know that young carers face additional challenges with disproportional impacts in educational outcomes, mental health and life opportunities. In many cases, they report poorer emotional health and well-being outcomes, as well as lower life satisfaction than their peers. Moreover, they are at a greater risk of poverty. In my constituency, I know young carers who have gone hungry or have left education or have become unwell due to the pressures placed on them and their families by the failure of successive Governments to resource services. Against this backdrop, it is nothing short of shameful that neither the Department of Education nor the Department of children, disability and equality have a dedicated programme that recognises the specific needs of young carers and young adult carers. The programme for Government does not even acknowledge their existence, let alone offer proposals or commitments to improve their situations. Carers and their loved ones are not being supported and are struggling to cope. The voice of carers must be heard and the Government must take action in response. This would include recognising the specific situation faced by young carers with tailored supports and allowances.

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