An emergency card specifically for carers has been launched with the aim to alert first responders that the person holding the card is a family carer.
In the event of an emergency, the person who finds the card will contact a dedicated Freephone Emergency Helpline.
Family Carers Ireland will then initiate the individual care plan of the person in care and if appropriate, will provide up to 72 hours of in-home emergency support.
Family Carers Ireland has been calling for such a scheme for some time, however, the organisation said that Covid-19 has exasperated the need for a plan in the event of a carer getting the coronavirus.
The launch is in partnership with An Garda Síochána, the National Ambulance Service Community First Responder Schemes, the Irish Red Cross and the Order of Malta.
The Emergency Card Scheme has been funded by Irish Life and with the support of Dormant Account Fund administered by Pobal.
Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Carer Engagement at Family Carers Ireland, said she is confident that when the emergency response scheme is up and running that it "will be look to Government and the health service to continue to fund this scheme".
Speaking on RTÉ's News at One, Ms Cox said the resumption of day care services for people with disabilities is "still an issue".
She said many family carers are reporting that their day services have not resumed, or that they do not have transport to bring their loved one to and from day services.
"We have to state that family carers and people with disabilities cannot be left behind. The government need to ensure that people with disabilities and their families get the support they need."
Moira Skelly who spoke to RTÉ in April about the need for emergency assistance for carers due to Covid-19, was the first person to sign up for the Emergency Carers Card today.
She described the measure as "a step in the right direction", however she says the Government needs to plan ahead.
Mrs Skelly pointed out that she and her husband are in their 60s and in twenty years time will be unable to care for the youngest of their four children, Ciara.
Ciara has epilepsy, cerebral palsy, autism, global developmental delay, and requires 24-hour care.
Speaking at the launch of the card, she called on the Government to set up a structure that would ensure that people like Ciara can receive care in the future.
The funding provided for the Emergency Carers Card is for 12 months.
Moira Skelly described it as "a huge relief" to family carers.
Covid-19 has had a major impact on those who are caring for loved ones due to the removal of day services and respite services.
Of the services that have resumed, most are at a reduced capacity.
