300 carers in 'significant crisis' had to seek national helpline's assistance 

There are currently 500,000 family carers in Ireland, that is one in every eight adults, and 67,000 young carers aged 10-17, with this number continuing to rise.

Some 300 carers were in a "significant crisis" last year and were forced to seek help from a national helpline, with the total number of callers significantly up on pre-pandemic levels.

The National Freephone Careline, operated by Family Carers Ireland, spoke to almost 4,200 family carers seeking support and information last year, including 300 who required significant emotional and practical support, including advocating for immediate respite.