‘It's an emergency’: More than 5,000 carers in Cork are over 65

Cork North Central Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould received HSE data which also show that 310 careers in Cork are aged over 85

In February, the 'Irish Examiner' reported the concerns of Before We Die founder Tony Murray (70) and his wife Susan that no plan was in place to care for their 42-year-old daughter Aoife when they can no longer care for her. Picture: Moya Nolan

More than 300 people aged over 85 are acting as carers in Cork, with one TD warning that urgent action is needed to support them.

Data provided by the HSE shows that 5,486 people aged 65 and over in Cork City and County are providing regular care to family members, neighbours, or friends living with a long-term illness, disability, health condition, or age-related needs.