Barnardos claims children are acting as unpaid carers

Nearly 3,000 young teenagers are taking on the roles of unpaid carers in the home, according to a study published by the children's charity Barnados today.

The charity said many 15 to 17-year-olds were providing up to two hours a day of unpaid care, in addition to attending school and homework.

It said children as young as five were helping their ill or disabled parents in some extreme cases.

Speaking at the launch of the study, the Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan said Ireland needed to improve the co-ordination of services if it really wanted to provide support for such families.