Nationwide events to recognise role of family carers

Almost 275,000 people in Ireland class themselves as family carers, according to a new survey being released today to mark National Carers' Week.

It also shows 61% of family carers spend over 100 hours a week caring, while 72% say their health has suffered as a result.

Later this week, carers' groups will ask TDs to commit to supporting the publication of the first ever national carers' strategy, and will seek a clear timeframe for its implementation.

They are also looking for the regulation of home care and the right for family carers to have an assessment of their own needs.

"We need to strike a balance between acknowledging the challenges that caring presents, but also to say that it's a recognition of what family carers do," said Liam O'Sullivan from the Care Alliance.

"It's not all doom and gloom, not all negative.

"Not all family carers would complain about the role they provide - indeed sometimes it's an opportunity to deepen the relationship that they have with their loved one."

National Carers Week 2012 runs from today until June 24 and features a schedule of over 150 events around the country.