ONE IN five 16 year olds provides care in the home for an elderly or disabled person within their family, according to a new report published by Queen's University Belfast. The report's launch coincides with National Carers' week which runs from June 9th-15th and will feature a variety of events both in Northern Ireland and the Republic which promote and recognise the role of carers.
There has been a lot of research into the caring responsibilities of adults in Northern Ireland, but little is known about the role of young people in looking after those who need care, according to Paula Devine from the School of Sociology at Queen's University.
"This survey aims to fill some of the gaps in our knowledge and explores the extent, nature and effect of caring among teenagers."
The report is based on research conducted by Ark, the Northern Ireland Social and Political Archive at Queen's University, which carries out an annual study of attitudes and experiences among 16 year olds.
While 20 per cent of the youths surveyed said they had caring duties, 14 per cent also cared for someone outside their home. The type of people cared for varied, with a parent being looked after in more than two in five cases, as well as siblings and grandparents in other situations. Outside their own home, it was usually a grandparent they cared for.
"Young carers are more likely to be female than male and are also more likely to live in rural areas or be from lower income families," said Dr Katrina Lloyd from Queen's University.
The Carer's Resource Centre in Blanchardstown, which provides support for carers in all of north Dublin and south Meath, said the findings reflected anecdotal evidence in the Republic.