Background

In the 2006 Census  160,917 people identified themselves as “providing regular unpaid personal help”. In Census 2011 the answer to Question 22  about unpaid help has changed. People will be asked to state the number of hours per week that they provide “regular unpaid help.

This will facilitate detailed comparisons with the results of the Census in the Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales.

Census 2011 in Ireland, for the first time, facilitates young Carers under 15 years of age to be identified as “providing unpaid help”.

It is hoped that the information on this page will assist people to complete Question 22 on the census form in order to:

• Ensure an accurate count of carers in Ireland and the hours they spend caring.
• Ensure that everyone who provides regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with a long term illness, health problem or disability identifies themselves as a carer.
• Ensure that those in receipt of Carers Allowance answer ‘Yes’ to question 22.
• Help explain to carers what hours they should count e.g. hands-on caring work, essential companionship / supervision work.
• Get accurate up to date statistics to facilitate planning for the provision of services.

Did you know?

• Over 40 Thousand carers, care for more than 43 hours per week
• Overall, 8% of adults said they provided unpaid help or assistance to someone,
• 10% of women and 6% of men 13% of adults aged 45-64 were carers.