A new report has found that family carers face significant hardship and a risk of poverty.
The report - 'Care at Home - Costs of Care Arising from Disability'- shows that 'caring' households are disadvantaged in many areas, compared to households without caring and disability needs.
The research, carried out on behalf of Family Carers Ireland, looks at the additional direct costs faced by caring households.
It also takes into account the hidden costs - including the cost of foregone employment and the financial costs imposed on families when services are not available.
The analysis found that supports fall significantly short of what is required by many caring families, particularly those on low incomes.
It shows that when compared to a household without a disability, the household caring for a child with a profound intellectual disability faces a greater depth of income inadequacy.
It says that caring households are disadvantaged in many areas, including opportunities to work, take a break and socialise.
Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland Catherine Cox welcomed the report findings and said that it provides an insight into the reality faced by caring families
"[The report] reveals that much of the additional costs borne by such households arise due to a denial of what should be publicly provided supports and services such as respite, assessments, and care equipment," Ms Cox said.
"With everything they have contributed throughout the pandemic, it is simply wrong that family carers are now left struggling to put food on the table or heat their homes.
"They deserve so much better. To ensure family carers are supported during this extremely difficult time, we are calling on the Government to provide additional and targeted financial support for family carers - particularly for those on the lowest incomes."
