Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, theLimerick Leaderreported that almost 50% of family carers have some form of mental health issued. During the pandemic we have depended so much on family carers to care for loved ones. They have helped to keep people at home and maintain stability.Care Alliance Ireland has shown that in the ten years between 2009 and 2019 there was a 70% increase in the number of carers diagnosed with depression. These are stark figures. I call for a debate on how we can support family carers. They play a key role and are necessary for the stability in many people's lives. The figures reported yesterday are so stark that it is a serious issue on which we need to have a discussion.