Local family carers call for long-term solutions to financial pressures

Family Carers Ireland says there is an urgent need for long-term solutions to address the financial hardship facing family carers during the cost-of-living crisis

Paul Farrell support manager for Longford Westmeath is urging the Department of Social Protection to extend the 200 euro lump sum in April to include the 5,500 family carers who receive the annual carers support grant as a stand-alone payment.

He says this cohort were included in the lump sum grant paid in November last.

A survey of almost 1,500 family carers carried out by Family Carers Ireland in early 2022 found that over two-thirds of respondents were experiencing financial distress.