Three out of four young carers begin duties before age of nine
It also found that six out of 10 young carers provide “intimate” care, including toileting, dressing and bathing.
Chief executive of the Irish Carers Association Enda Egan said there was a serious lack of awareness around young carers and the unique issues they faced in providing care.
The Government-sponsored research – Study on Young Carers in the Irish Population – was undertaken by the Child and Family Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway and looked at the lives of 26 carers under the age of 18.
It is estimated that there are about 5,000 young carers in Ireland. “With no supports currently in place for young carers, we are asking the Government to implement cost-effective measures to help them in their caring role, such as a dedicated young carers’ website with information and forums,” said Mr Egan.
The research was presented at a conference in Dublin organised by the Irish Carers Association during which Conor Hughes, 18, from Balbriggan, Co Dublin, described how he helped his mother care for his two siblings. Conor’s sister Christina, 15, had a stroke in 2005, leaving her wheelchair-bound and partially paralysed. His brother, Odhran, 4, is autistic and has Asperger’s Syndrome.
Conor, now studying business studies at a college in Dublin, believes he was placed at an educational disadvantage because of having to miss school to care for his brother and sister.
He is often tired because of a lack of sleep and his social life suffered to a point where he had to give up sports because it clashed with hospital appointments.
“I often take my sister shopping. It’s not my favourite hobby but she certainly enjoys it and that’s what counts,” he said yesterday.
His aunt, Jennifer Duffy, said Conor did not see what he did for his siblings as something special.
“He does it all with good grace and an ever-present smile,” she said.
Ms Duffy read a statement made by Conor’s mother Angela in which she described how her son had to fast-forward his growing up process. “Conor is my extra hands and feet. Without him I could not do the work I do with Christine and Odhran,” she said.
Meanwhile, Alcohol Action Ireland warned that children looking after alcohol-dependant parents were at even more risk because of the hidden nature of the problem.
Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews, said the groundbreaking research, commissioned by his office, highlighted the need for adults to advocate for children.
Mr Andrews said he was hopeful that a date for a constitutional referendum on children’s rights would be fixed before the end of the year.
