Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate my colleague, Deputy Mark Wall, on bringing forward this important motion. I stand here on behalf of thousands of young carers throughout Ireland, children, teenagers and young adults who take on immense responsibilities at home, often at great personal cost. They provide essential care for family members with disabilities, illness, mental health conditions and addiction. Their contributions too often go unnoticed.

This year's Young Carers Action Day on 12 March carried the theme "Give me a break". This is more than just a theme; it is a call to action, which my colleague Deputy Wall has taken up for the Labour Party. It reminds us all of the sacrifices, struggles and needs of young carers and that acknowledging them is not enough. We must push for meaningful legislative change.

Young carers juggle school, home duties and emotional burdens that many adults would struggle to bear yet their needs go unrecognised. Many experience stress, social isolation and difficulties in education or employment. They often miss out on the simple right just to be young. Supporting them cannot fall on one sector alone. It requires a cross-departmental approach. The Departments of children, education, health and employment must work together to identify and support young carers from early on. Schools and colleges need dedicated trained staff to recognise and assist young carers. They must ensure that young carers are included in care plans and have access to mental health support. Employers should create pathways for young carers to access work opportunities with flexible arrangements that acknowledge their responsibilities. By taking this joined-up approach, we can ensure young carers are not left behind and no one falls through the cracks.

As previous speakers mentioned, young carers deserve opportunities and our recognition and support. It is our duty to ensure they receive this support. This means better respite services, flexible policies and financial assistance for families in need. It means acknowledging their contributions and easing their burdens. I want to shout out to Benjamin, Sarah Ann, Lucy and Conor, the young people we met in the audiovisual room earlier, who shared their powerful stories with us, both positive and negative, and the struggles they have to endure. I also acknowledge the work of Family Carers Ireland, especially Niamh Finucane and Elayne O'Hara.

Let us commit to the young carers we met and the 67,000 other young carers in Ireland. Their contribution to society is too valuable to ignore. When they say "Give me a break" our response must be a resounding "Yes".

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