Family carers in the home save the health services an estimated €1.5 billion per annum yet their work is not even properly recognised by the State, it was claimed today.
Speaking at the publication of the Carers Association's National Strategic Plan 2004-07, the organisation's CEO, Mr Enda Egan, said the system of providing a social welfare allowance to carers is not sustainable in the long term.
"The Carer's Allowance doesn't recognise that the carer is doing a job in the home," said Mr Egan. "It's a supplementary income payment which just about keeps them off the breadline. We need to look at a system that pays them money based on the work they are doing."
Last year's population census identified 149,000 carers in the country, of which around 50,000 are defined as full time carers - working over 40 hours per week. The Carers Association is concerned that only 24,000 are get state allowance - and only a percentage of these receive the full benefit.
Currently, families with a combined gross income of over €500 a week cannot receive the allowance, which is stringently means tested.
"The introduction of the Carer's Allowance was a great breakthrough at the time and subsequent Minister's have all helped carers in some way," said Mr Frank Goodwin, chairman of the Carer's Association. "But we have to acknowledge there are a large number of carers who receive no help at all."
Mr Goodwin also expressed concern over the health and well being of long-term care givers and called for the medical card to be extended to all carers.
Mr Egan called for the introduction of legislation similar to the Britain's Equal Opportunity Act for Carers, which supports carers who work part-time outside the home.
The association has noted that in the last four to five years, families are not able to provide care in the home as the cost of mortgages and other expenses requires two full-time incomes.
The Carers Association provides a range of respite, information, training and advocacy services on behalf of family carers. Over the next three years it hopes to expand the geographic spread its services which are generally provided in association with the local health boards.
In an effort to raise its profile, it recently appointed Laois GAA football manager Mr Mick O'Dwyer and TV personality Mr Mary Kennedy as patrons.