Majority of full-time female carers experience economic hardship — report

The report showed that carers' efforts are largely invisible and undervalued whether they are paid or unpaid.

A new report has found that 98% of full-time carers in Ireland are women and most experience economic hardship.

The report from ActionAid Ireland and the National Women's Council (NWC) shows that carers' efforts are largely invisible and undervalued whether they are paid or unpaid. Women were also found to do twice as much unpaid care and housework as men.

"The large majority of care work that women carry out globally is not recognised as having any economic value as it remains largely hidden, invisible, and unmeasured," said ActionAid Ireland CEO Karol Balfe.

"In practical terms, this leads to economic inequality and poverty for many women, a wide gender pay gap, and an even wider gender pension gap for women in older age."

The report, published on Wednesday, highlights how levels of poverty and discrimination are higher for marginalised groups of women in Ireland.

"Without support, such as adequate public services, many women who care or avail of care are isolated and marginalised — with particular groups of women including lone parents, migrant, Traveller, disabled and older women at increased risk in Ireland," said Ms Balfe.

On March 8, Ireland will hold a referendum around removing the reference in the Constitution to the women’s place in the home and instead replacing it with a recognition of care.

Ms Balfe said that globally there is a growing movement to recognise care as a human right.

"Ireland could learn from this global experience to make constitutional change truly meaningful," she added.

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One person who participated in the report is Georgia Grogan who is a lone parent and carer to a daughter with complex needs.

"The policies and rules involved in care are often degrading, and they perpetuate outdated ideas that women are simply homemakers," said Ms Grogan.

"I can’t stay in education without working, and I can’t find meaningful, sustainable work without education.

"Care impacts every aspect of life for all of us, the environment around us, how we connect with others, and connect with ourselves. But unfortunately, there are many of us who provide more care, and see little benefit.” 

The report set out key recommendations including:

• the delivery of a public childcare model;
• better paid family leave;
• a universal pension for all;
• guaranteed access to home supports and personal assistance for disabled and older people;
• a commitment to the right of people to live independently inside and outside of the home.

NWC director Orla O'Connor said the report provides a clear roadmap for how the State can properly value and invest in the care system through enhanced services and supports.

"It also provides a roadmap for tackling some of the most important roadblocks towards women’s economic equality. It shows how the voices of women and affected groups must be at the heart of such transformational change," she said.