Thousands of carers do without food and heat to pay for equipment for loved ones

Up to 3,000 carers told a Family Carers Ireland survey the growing financial strain and isolation makes 'your world shrink' File picture: Pexels

Thousands of carers are cutting back on food and heat to make ends meet while at the same time paying out privately for crucial equipment such as wheelchairs for their loved ones which should be funded by the public system.

That is according to a new report from Family Carers Ireland which spoke to 3,000 carers who said the growing financial strain and isolation makes "your world shrink".

As many as one in seven adults in Ireland are carers, analysis for the government’s Healthy Ireland report showed last year. This new survey shows 48% suffering with severe loneliness. 

Other startling revelations include:

• 18% find it “extremely difficult” to make ends meet and 71% find it "difficult" to make ends meet 
• 49% have cut back on food or heat and 76% have cut back on non-essentials 
• 75% of carers have never received respite options for their loved one 
• 55% paid for products or services which in theory they were entitled to have provided free through public services 

Family Carers Ireland research manager Nikki Dunne said: “I think the words that really summed this survey up for me were ‘your world shrinks’.

“That sentiment came up again and again in different ways. It wasn’t just about not having people to talk to, it was about the lack of respite, the lack of formal supports, the financial difficulties.” 

Carers told them they feel invisible and she said: "A lot of them felt their contributions were not recognized or valued by society." 

Almost three-quarters of carers give 90 hours of care a week. Almost all carers are women, the average age is 51 with 31% in paid work.

Ms Dunne called for action, saying: “We’d be calling for Budget 2027 to fully abolish the mean’s test and to increase carer’s allowance, and carer’s benefit and make the carer’s payments tax-exempt.” 

The report recommends significant changes to respite systems, increasing carer’s allowance and carer’s benefit to €325/week, a cost of disability payment and fuel supports.

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The survey was carried out between January and March, with one person saying: “I haven’t made a bin or electricity payment since early December.” 

Another said: “I work full time as I have no more Carer’s Leave left. My health is affected with burnout, exhaustion, weight loss, am now under the care of psychiatry myself.” 

One parent said: “I need respite where my son is safe, stimulated and having fun. So I can spend time with my other child and just focus on her — and so I can sleep.”