Young Adult Carers: Ireland’s ‘Lost’ Support System Highlighted at National Conference
Young Carers in Ireland Highlight Challenges, Demand Greater Support
DUBLIN, Ireland – Ireland’s first National Young Carers Conference, held Saturday at University College Dublin, brought into sharp focus the often-invisible struggles of young people providing unpaid care for family members. Attendees and organizers are calling for increased awareness, support services, and recognition for this vulnerable demographic.
Saoirse Hayden, 19, from Co Leitrim, shared a deeply personal account of her experience caring for her two siblings, aged 17 and 12, both of whom have autism. Her brother, she explained, experiences complex mental health issues and has, at times, been violent. “A lot of very serious violence was directed towards me and my younger sister,” Hayden said. “Very little was done. We were always told we never met the threshold for risk in the house, even though the violence we faced was excessive.”
Hayden recounted instances where her brother, by his own admission, attempted to harm her. “There were times when he tried to take my life,” she stated, emphasizing that this did not diminish her love for him. “I love my brother but he received no support and his issues bubbled up and up, and violence was the way it came out.” She underscored the lack of available support as a key factor contributing to the escalating situation.
The conference, co-organized by Hayden and Shannika Greene, 20, from Co Roscommon, who cares for five siblings with additional needs, aimed to address the unique challenges faced by young carers. Greene emphasized the broad impact on young carers’ lives, stating, “Young carers’ lives are affected hugely. Whether that’s emotionally, financially, mentally, they just take on huge responsibilities.”
A central theme of the conference was the need to increase awareness of the term “young carer” and encourage self-identification. Hayden explained that stigma often prevents young people from recognizing themselves as carers, and that this can hinder access to vital support. “Self-identification as a young carer can come with stigma and can often feel a bit of a betrayal of the person you care for,” she said. “We love these people, they’re our family, we care so much for them, but also, we don’t love the responsibilities, the burden and sometimes the violence that can come with that.”
The conference also highlighted the disparity between official census data and estimates from organizations like Family Carers Ireland regarding the actual number of young carers in Ireland. The 2022 Census identified 10,783 carers aged 19 or younger, while Family Carers Ireland research suggests the figure could be closer to 67,000 for those aged between 10 and 17.
President Catherine Connolly addressed the conference, pledging her solidarity with young carers and acknowledging their significant contribution to society. “A society cannot function without their contribution,” she stated, adding that family carers save the State billions of euro each week through their unpaid work. Connolly also noted the emotional and physical strain, burnout, depression, anxiety, isolation, and difficulties navigating healthcare systems experienced by carers.
Disability rights activist Cara Darmody, 15, served as the Master of Ceremonies for the event, and President Connolly remarked on her being the youngest MC at a formal event of this nature in Ireland. The conference was also attended by Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, and was supported by Léargas, a European Union education and funding programme.
Hayden expressed concern that young carers are often “overshadowed” by the needs of those they care for, becoming lost within family dynamics and support systems. The conference represents a crucial step towards bringing their experiences to light and advocating for the support they deserve.