Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Labour Party for bringing this very important issue onto the agenda for discussion. I note the Government side is not opposing it and thank it for that.

There have been quite a number of studies carried out on this area in Ireland, but the research has not really been acted on. Family Carers Ireland has provided a wealth of information to Members here today and have provided a lot of supports for young carers. One of the studies done in University of Galway found that there was limited data on young carers in Ireland and that most of the focus is on adult family carers. That is why this debate today is hugely important. There is no national legislation policy or mainstream supports for young carers in Ireland. In this, among many other things, we are in breach of various UN conventions.

I note all the comments and contributions made by other speakers regarding the carer's allowance, respite care and the impact on the outcomes for the young children who are involved in caring for family members, so I will not go into that. One of the studies from the University of Galway showed a number of recommendations which related to practical supports for young people in the home. It referred to emotional supports, just time to be with friends rather than formal respite, but also and more important, and we have a very limited contribution period here, some way for carers to be able to contact service providers to reach out. I am sure, including the 67,000 mentioned, there are many others who have not been contacted and reached out to. Therefore I would like to support that.

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