A group representing those who care for ill or incapacitated family members at home has repeated its call for the Government to develop a national strategy on carers following the publication of a report by the Equality Authority.
The Carers' Association welcomed the report published this morning, claiming it lends weight to the body's calls for a national strategy for family carers.
The report calls for greater investment in care services if carers are to be treated fairly and given the opportunity to continue in paid employment. It reveals the State's estimated 150,000 carers suffer from poor access to health services and low levels of income, among other issues.
It calls for a comprehensive review of the main income supports for carers, Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit.
The Carers'Association also said the report showed a "clear gender inequality" in relation to caring commitments and employment opportunities, while more carers than ever are in employment.
It was also found that the demands of balancing work and caring poses a variety of strains, including mental, physical and emotional difficulties.
Mr Enda Egan, CEO of The Carer's Association, says this report independently confirms what the body has been saying for years in its calls to government to urgently establish a National Strategy on family carers.
Mr Egan said the need for such a strategy was first identified in a report by Comhairle, the national support agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy on social services, as far back as 2000.
He said: "This report highlights the many inequalities faced by Irish family carers today. Carers should be supported so that they have a genuine choice between caring and employment options. Accessible health and social service provision, adequate income support and the availability of flexible working arrangements must be implemented as a matter of priority."
Mr Egan said the Government must now finally recognise the extent of the contribution of family carers to the economy of the State and immediately begin to develop a National Strategy to improve their lives.