Over 67,000 young carers between 10 and 17 years of age provide ongoing unpaid care to family members across Ireland.

Supports for these carers are being debated in the Dáil, with the Labour Party urging the Government to address the issue.

Labour wants to see a working group established to address providing supports.

The party said caring as a young person can have a profound impact on educational outcomes, mental health and life opportunities.

A young carer holds the hands of an elderly person. Image: Alamy

Lucy Connor is a carer to her parents and brother and has said that more needs to be done.

“I would love to see more funding and more help in schools,” she told The Hard Shoulder.

“I cannot stress that enough, how much I want to see schools get more into action.”

Close up photo of elderly woman hand hold by young carer hands. Image: Bence Mor Ocskay / Alamy

Conor Curran is a carer to his brother who is two years younger than him - he is concerned over his future.

“The biggest worry for me is what's gonna happen to my brother now that he's finishing school,” he said.

“He's becoming an adult, he's gonna move into the adult care sector.

“Where is he gonna go? We're not able to keep him at home, we won't have that option - we need to socialise him.

“But where is he going to go? What's going to happen with him?”

Listen back here:

Kieran Cuddihy (L) from The Hard Shoulder with Lucy Connor (M) and Conor Curran (R). Image: Newstalk