Budget 2026 Must End Growing Crisis Facing Family Carers

Pictured at the launch of Family Carers Ireland's pre-budget submission is Damien Douglas with his 30-year-old twin daughters Una, left, and Ailis, right, from Lucan, Co. Dublin. PHOTO: Mark Stedman

Thursday, 3^rd July 2025: Family Carers Ireland has today issued a stark warning to the Government, urging immediate and decisive action in Budget 2026 to address the escalating crisis faced by Ireland’s 500,000+ family carers. Despite repeated public praise, family carers continue to face severe financial strain, inadequate access to essential supports, and rising levels of physical and mental exhaustion.

Family carers continue to shoulder the consequences of underinvestment in home care supports, outdated policies, eligibility criteria that no longer reflect the realities of modern caring, and assumptions that families will freely provide care. Specific challenges include financial hardship caused by the outdated Carer’s Allowance means test, exhaustion from inadequate respite care, and lengthy delays in accessing essential assessments and support services. Key commitments, notably fully funding the Carer Guarantee, remain undelivered despite repeated promises.

The charity’s Pre-Budget Submission - "Ensuring No One Has to Care Alone" - outlines eight critical reforms urgently needed to support family carers and prevent a deepening crisis:

1. Abolition of the Carer’s Allowance means test.
2. A fair and adequate income for carers.
3. A right to respite.
4. Fully fund the Carer Guarantee.
5. Deliver the Statutory Home Support Scheme.
6. Prioritise supports for children with additional needs.
7. Deliver housing, transport and climate justice.
8. Support working family carers.

Catherine Cox, Head of Communications and Policy at Family Carers Ireland, said: "Family carers across Ireland have reached breaking point. The crisis is clear: the financial strain, exhaustion, isolation, and lack of essential supports and services experienced by many is devastating. According to our most recent State of Caring survey, almost 70% of carers face financial hardship, nearly a third cutting back on essentials such as food and heating. Over 72% have never received respite care, severely impacting their physical and mental health. Moreover, more than 15,000 children face unacceptable delays, often over a year, for essential assessments and therapeutic supports.

“Budget 2026 presents a vital opportunity for this Government to act decisively and deliver on their election promises and Programme for Government commitments. Family carers need tangible reforms, not just praise. The cost of continued delays and unfulfilled commitments is severe, with lasting impacts on families and wider society. Now is the time for the Government to step up and deliver.

"Family carers save the State over €20 billion each year. It is imperative that we invest now in a fair non-means tested Family Carer Payment, guaranteed respite care, and critical support services. Now more than ever, we see the importance of effectively supporting family carers in the home and community. Budget 2026 is a critical opportunity for this Government to fulfil its promises, deliver meaningful change, and ensure that no one is ever left to care alone."