Cllr Richie Molloy along with Family Carers Ireland attended a presentation by Young Carers in Leinster House on Thursday last and met with the leader of the Labour Party Ivana Bacik.
Cllr Molloy said there are hundreds of young carers in Tipperary but may not identify themselves as family carers and encouraged them to make contact with Family Carers Ireland who will offer supports such as online courses and other information services.
Across Ireland, more than 67,000 young carers provide ongoing and unpaid care to a family member.
Young Carers aged between 10 and 17 can experience impacts on their educational outcomes, mental health and life opportunity due to their caring responsibilities.
The Labour Party has a motion calling for a comprehensive strategy to address the needs of young carers. The Programme for Government doesn’t even mention the young carers. Labour’s motion will seek to address this shocking omission.
Among the initiatives the Labour Party motion calls for are:
– Introduce a Young Carer Grant.
– Ensure guaranteed respite days for young carers.
– Introduce school-based initiatives that support the educational needs of young carers.
– Provide additional home care supports so that young carers have time for themselves