Speech by President Connolly at National Young Carers’ Conference
UCD, 7 March 2026
A chairde, it is privilege to be here in UCD at the National Young Carers’ Conference. May I begin by thanking Cara Darmody for introducing me so warmly. Cara is perhaps the youngest-ever Master of Ceremonies of a formal event in Ireland. Let me congratulate her for doing such an excellent job. May I thank Dr Niall Muldoon, Ombudsman for Children, for his invitation to be with you all today and for all his good work.
This conference is an opportunity to meet with other carers, to hear the voices of young people who are providing such essential care, to hear the challenges they and their families face. It is also an opportunity to hear about the joy of being a young carer too.
There are over 500,000 family carers in Ireland, more than half of whom are balancing care with paid employment. Carers are the backbone of a society. Indeed, a society cannot function without their contribution, a contribution which all too often goes insufficiently recognised.
I know that there are many important issues that will be discussed today – including issues identified by the research that will be presented here today. Some of these issues relate to the emotional and physical strain of caring – the burnout, depression, anxiety, and isolation. Other issues relate to the lack of support services, and the difficulties in navigating complex healthcare systems. Then of course there is the significant financial strain of being a carer. If we are serious about valuing care, then we need real supports for carers, for families, and for all those who depend on care.
Along with supports, there must be an acknowledgment of the role that young carers have within families, communities and society, and recognition of the additional responsibility and the impact this has on childhood. We need to develop a carer-centric culture and support the 1-in-9 within the workforce who are both caring for a loved one with additional needs and managing their career.
It has to be acknowledged that family carers in Ireland are providing approximately 19 million hours of unpaid care every week, saving the State an estimated €20 billion per year – a staggering sum of money. For a genuinely thriving economy, the value of carers must be captured in our economic model.
As President, I will use my voice to advocate for young carers. Those with lived experiences of caring must be central to national policy discussions, giving visibility to the real-life experiences of carers. I am very pleased that this conference will focus on this topic, presenting important new academic research from UCD, UCC and UL that involved the participation of young carers.
Indeed, one of my earliest official engagements as President was a visit to Carlow to launch the report, Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland, a joint project between the Higher Education Authority and South-Eastern Technological University. I want to commend initiatives like this that improve educational access for carers, providing free university courses to recognise carers’ multidisciplinary skillset. That report highlights the support needs of young carers, celebrates their remarkable commitment and dedication, and promotes a greater awareness of their invaluable work.
I look forward later this month to hosting an afternoon tea for carers in Áras an Uachtaráin, an opportunity to thank some of the individuals and groups who make such a difference to the lives of so many.
As President of Ireland, may you be assured that, as carers, you have my support as a strong advocate for everything that you do. I wish your conference every success.
Go raibh maith agaibh.