Search is on for Carer of the Year

Finalists will be announced in late October

Family Carers Ireland has launched a nationwide call for nominations for its Netwatch ‘Family Carer of the Year Awards’.

The national charity is calling on members of the public, particularly from Meath, to help shine a light on Ireland’s forgotten frontline by nominating family carers and young carers they know who go above and beyond every day in caring for loved ones with additional needs.

More than 500,000 people in Ireland provide unpaid care in the home for children or adults with physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental ill-health or addiction. The 19 million hours of unpaid care provided each week by family carers would cost the state €20bn a year to replace.

The last 18 months have been incredibly difficult for all but in particular for family carers who saw services and supports for their loved ones depleted and, in many cases, eradicated. The blanket withdrawal of supports such as homecare, respite, personal assistance hours and residential care during lockdown forced many to care alone, around the clock.

Nominate someone you know today at www.familycarers.ie or call the National Freephone Careline on 1800 24 07 24 to request a nomination form by post. Nominations should be submitted online or returned by post no later than Friday 22nd October. Finalists will be announced in late October.