‘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.

The figures, based on Census 2022 data, reveal that 310 carers are aged 85 and over, while a further 565 are aged between 80 and 84.

The largest cohort of older carers is in the 65-69 age group, accounting for 2,041 people, followed by 1,487 aged 70-74, and 1,083 aged between 75 and 79.

The figures were released to Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central Thomas Gould.

The HSE said that data on the number of paid or full-time carers aged 65 and over is not collected by either the Department of Health or the HSE, meaning that it was not possible to determine how many of those identified are paid or unpaid carers.

Mr Gould said that many of those people are parents who provide full-time care for adult children with profound disabilities and this burden “can be immense and becomes more and more difficult as they age”.

“This is no way to treat disabled people or their carers,” he said.

“These figures show that this is an emergency,” Mr Gould said. “There are more than 2,000 people now caring for loved ones past retirement age in Cork.

“The State owes these people a debt of gratitude — they have often stepped up where the state has failed. While their friends and peers are enjoying their retirement, carers are staying up at night worrying about what happens to their loved ones when they can no longer cope.

“As sure as night follows day, a full-time carer will grow older. That is a fact of life. It is easy to plan for.

“This shouldn’t be a constant crisis and battle.”

Before We Die founder: 'It's a black hole'

In April, Tony Murray — the 70-year-old founder of the advocacy group Before We Die and father of Aoife, who is 42 and living with an intellectual disability — told an Oireachtas committee that he had moved to act upon turning 70 and realising “nothing is in place” for their children when parents in his position die.

He noted people had suggested his situation was like living under a dark cloud.

“It’s not, it’s a black hole. Dark clouds move away. It’s a black hole and black holes don’t emit light. It’s nothingness,” he said.

• Paul Hosford, Deputy Political Editor