Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit as an bhfreagra sin. I thank the Minister for his response. The most recent census in 2022 tells us that there are almost 5,000 young carers in this State. Undoubtedly, the number of young people and young adults providing care is much greater as it often goes unreported, unsupported and unacknowledged. By unsupported I mean people who do not avail of many of those payments. The number of young people providing the highest level of care, more than 43 hours a week, doubled between 2016 and 2022. From speaking to young carers, social workers, social care workers and advocates it is clear the increase is down to a chronic lack of services, ranging from access to healthcare, disability services and supports, underfunding of the wider social care sector and mental health services and drug and alcohol strategies that have never been properly resourced. Not only financial supports are needed. Academic and social supports are needed as well as the communications piece so that young carers and young adults providing care know they can avail of supports in their chosen universities or colleges.

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