Speech at an Afternoon Tea reception for Carers
Áras an Uachtaráin, 25th March 2026
A Chairde Uaisle, tá míle fáilte romhaibh ar fad go hÁras an Uachtaráin tráthnóna chuig chéad Tae Beag mo Uachtaránachta.
Is cúis mhór áthais dom gur cúramóirí, bíodh sibh fostaithe nó deonach, a roghnaíodh mar aíonna na hócáide seo. Níl scríobh ná léamh ná insint béil ar an ardmheas atá agam oraibhse agus bhur leithéid a thugann cúram agus aire lá i ndiaidh lae, oíche i ndiaidh oíche, dóibh siúd atá i ngátar.
I am delighted to welcome to you all here to Áras an Uachtaráin. This is the first afternoon tea event that I have hosted as President, and I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and pay tribute to you all, and to the many people around the country who give their time and energy to care for others.
Chuala mé bhur scéalta le linn mo fheachtas Uachtaránachta. Chuaigh sibh i bhfeidhm go mór orm, a chairde.
I know that many of you have travelled a long way and have had to make alternative caring arrangements today, and I would like to thank you for being here.
Carers are the backbone of our society. According to the 2022 Census, there were approximately 300,000 people providing unpaid care in Ireland. Family Carers Ireland estimates this figure at closer to 500,000, as many very often go unacknowledged in the official statistics, including young carers.
As you know, caring for another person, particularly a family member, is often a 24/7 commitment. Many carers face significant challenges – from the emotional and physical strain of caring, to the lack of support, to the difficulties in navigating complex healthcare systems. Then, of course, there is the significant financial strain of being a carer.
Indeed, caring for others is such a fundamental part of human existence that society simply could not function without the work carried out by carers.
Not only do you provide an essential service to society by caring for those who need it, but your work saves the State billions of euros every year. For a genuinely thriving economy, the value of carers’ work must be captured in our national economic statistics, and be central to every policy decision made.
While we are on the topic of care, the Ombudsman for Children’s recent report entitled ‘Let’s get it right’ is stark in outlining how Ireland’s care system is failing children and young people. This timely report and its recommendations merit particular consideration.
As President, I would like to thank all of you for the work you do.
Tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult agus tairbhe as an teacht le chéile seo inniu, a chairde, agus go mbeidh scíth bheag agaibh i gcomhluadar chúramóirí eile a thuigeann bhur saol gan aon ghá le hinsint scéil.
Tá aitheantas na tíre tuillte agaibh agus ba mhaith liomsa mar Uachtarán na hÉireann mo bhuíochas ó chroí a chur in iúl daoibh as ucht bhur gcuid oibre agus go minic saothar in aisce.
Is laochra sibh, a Chairde Uaisle, nára fada go gcúiteofar sibh.
You are our real heroes and we owe you an enormous debt of gratitude.