The Carers Association’s Carers of the Year and Young Carer of the Year (under 18) Awards are based on a national nomination process, whereby the public are invited to nominate their chosen family carers. All entries will receive a commemorative certificate and four regional winners are chosen. The National Carers of the Year 2010 will be announced at a special ceremony later this year.

The awards nomination process for 2010 has already begun.  Anyone can nominate a Carer they feel should be rewarded for their tireless dedication to a loved one, neighbour or friend. There is also a special category of awards – Young Carer of the Year.  Young Carers are under 18 years of age who provide care to sick and/or disabled relatives in the home.  Their work often goes unrecognised and their own social, health and educational needs are often neglected.

 

 

There are an estimated 161,000 family carers in Ireland, providing over three million hours of care per week and saving the state EUR2.5 billion every year. According to the Census 2006, there are 5,500 young carers under 18 caring for relatives, a figure The Carers Association finds a huge underestimation in comparison to figures from the UK and Scotland.