1. Family Carers Ireland – Who we are
Marian Mahon
National Carers Support Manager
Family Carers Ireland

2. Family Carers Ireland Who we are:
Family Carers Ireland is a registered charity emerging from the coming together of two long standing charities of over 25 years (the Carers Association and Caring for Carers).
The merger brings the best of both charities together whilst broadening the range of services and supports to family carers and set to benefit over 200,000 family carers in Ireland.
Carers are at the heart of everything we do.

3. Family Carers Ireland
ACCORDING TO CENSUS 2011 There are 187,112 Family Carers in Ireland. However, trends since that census indicate a current figure in excess of 200,000. Family Carers in Ireland provide almost 6.2 million hours of care each week which equates to a contribution to the Irish economy of €4 billion each year. This means the average fulltime Carer contributes €62,000 of caring work each year.

4. Family Carers Ireland
What we do: Family carers provide high levels of care to a range of people including frail older people, people with severe disabilities, the terminally ill and children with special needs. Due to the fact that we are a much larger organisation we are now in a position to provide even more supports and services to Family Carers in nearly all of the 26 counties.

5. Family Carers Ireland We provide: In Home Respite Service
Training and Education
Information Provision
Emotional and practical supports to Carers and their Families
Advocacy and Lobbying
Membership
Carers Groups
Senior Alert Scheme
Volunteering Programmes

6. Family Carers Ireland We support Carers by:
Promoting the interests of family carers and those receiving care in the home
Lobbying and advocating in an effort to gain recognition and social justice for carers' invaluable contribution to Irish society
Work in partnership with other organisations to further the interests and welfare of family carers

7. The National Freephone Careline
Family Carers Ireland
The National Freephone Careline
Family Carers Ireland offers a confidential, friendly and supportive Care Line. They will listen to your concerns and offer practical advice on a range of topics.

8. Family Carers Ireland We provide information on:
Rights and Entitlements for Carers and their Families
Carer’s Allowance
Carer’s Benefit
Carer’s Support Grant
Details of our local services in each area
Training Courses available locally
Other supports that may be available to Carers/Families

9. Family Carers Ireland Carers Groups allow carers to:
Share their experiences, feelings ideas, concerns, information and problems
Access information on their rights and entitlements
Act together to highlight carers’ issues with decision makers
Have a sense of connection and solidarity with other family carers in similar circumstances
Have a break from the caring situation
Relax, socialise and learn from other carer
Cope from day to day

10. Family Carers Ireland Goal for Future
The formation of Family Carers Ireland represents a significant and positive milestone for Ireland’s approximate 200,000 family carers.
The Carers Association and Caring for Carers Ireland have come together to form one stronger, dedicated, carer- centred organisation.
The merged organisation, Family Carers Ireland, is more sustainable, and is in a better position to support, lobby for, and advocate on behalf of Ireland’s Family Carers into the future.