Sir, – I’m writing to you as one of the 500,000 family carers in Ireland. We save the State €20 billion a year. To enable us to continue to do so, we need more support. We need respite. We need a break!
The truth is many of us have cared 24/7 during the past 18 months, with little or no outside support due to the pandemic. We have remained at home behind closed doors keeping our vulnerable loved ones safe. Many, including my own son, have not been in school or a day service since March 2020. We have suppressed the virus and kept the people we care for out of hospital.
We acknowledge the dedication of all our frontline workers. We salute them.
Isn’t it time that the Government recognised carers? President Michael D Higgins acknowledged us in his speech on May 1st. Now it’s time for the Government to show its support. – Yours, etc,
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AISLING McNIFFE,
Full-time carer,
Ardclough,
Co Kildare.