Family carers in Ireland contribute some three million hours of care for sick and elderly relatives every week and save the state some €1.5 billion a year, a body representing 150,000 carers has claimed.
In its pre-Budget submission today, the Carers' Association again called on the Government to put in place a comprehensive National Strategy for family carers.
Enda Egan, chief executive of the association, said many were "living on the breadline" and called on the Government to put proper supports in place, including a system of fair remuneration for carers.
"We have been consistently campaigning Government to implement a National Strategy for family carers. This campaign has been steadily gaining support and momentum, and Government is now well-positioned to deliver meaningful change for family carers," he said.
A number of family carers told their own stories at an event in Dublin to mark the publication of the pre-Budget submission.
Mr Egan said that although caring for a family member could be "a positive and rewarding experience", it could also be a difficult and time-consuming job, placing the carer under physical, mental and emotional stress.
He said full-time carers receive none of the benefits enjoyed by other workers and that they are a very vulnerable sector of society.
"In light of recent issues emerging from Nursing Home and Residential care it has been identified that many older people and those with special needs prefer being cared for in the home," Mr Egan added.
"Family carers provide three million hours of care per week. This contribution must be valued and formally recognised by Government as an integral part of the health services.
"Despite saving the state over € 1.5 billion net per year, family carers still face many inequalities and many are living just above the bread-line."