Vital census question for carers

QUESTION 22 on Census 2011 invites carers to state the number of hours they spend per week in looking after disabled or elderly family members, friends or neighbours.

It is important that all carers answer this question. This government has committed to developing a National Carers’ Strategy and the quality of the strategy will in part depend on answers to Question 22.

If you care for one hour per week or more, please be sure you answer Question 22. Young people under the age of 15 can, for the first time, include the hours they spend in helping a disabled brother or sister, or a parent or other relative who requires care.

Many family carers spend all their waking hours caring for, supporting or supervising the person or persons for whom they care. Please, however, do not put 24/7 as your answer to Question 22.

This number will not be interpreted by the census since there are a total of 168 hours in a week. Mothers or fathers caring for a disabled child should include the hours spent caring, but exclude the time spent on caring for children who do not have a disability.

Care on the census means care, supervision and support and any other work, such as cleaning, cooking or transport undertaken in aid of the person who requires care.

Children with dyslexia, for example, may require extra help from their parents on homework. Such extra time also counts towards the total time spent caring in Census week.

Carers in receipt of the Carer’s Allowance or the Carer’s Benefit should also answer Question 22.

If you are a family carer and you are confused about Question 22, please see www.question22.ie or search “Carers Q22” on Facebook.

Áine Uí Ghiollagáin

Secretary General ,Cúram, An Cheathrú Rua, Co na Gaillimhe