Ireland’s Family Carer Scorecard 2025
Family Carers Ireland has published the Family Carer Scorecard 2025. The scorecard is the fourth scorecard produced by Family Carers Ireland but is the first analysis of the Programme for Government Securing Ireland’s Future, ratified on 24 January 2025 and how it has performed for Ireland’s family carers during its first year.
In it, the Government parties have set out a vision to create a more secure, caring and progressive society. The Programme for Government outlines ambitious plans to better support family carers by abolishing the Carer’s Allowance means test, increasing financial support, improving access to respite, funding the Carer Guarantee, abolishing waiting lists and delivering greater investment in disability services and supports for adults and children. If delivered, these commitments would mark a significant step towards alleviating the challenges faced by Ireland’s family carers by providing them with the resources and supports they need, when, how and where they are needed.
Scorecard Framework
Family Carers Ireland has carefully selected 34 commitments made to family carers in the Programme for Government and has scored the Government’s progress in implementing them since its formation in January 2025. The scores have been assigned after careful assessment by the National Council of Family Carers – a body made up of elected delegates from local carer assemblies across the country ensuring a strong collective voice and direct carer representation.
The scorecard framework consists of five colour-coded ‘scores’ assigned to each commitment to reflect the level of progress that has been made during the review period.
Summary of Scorecard
Of the 34 Programme for Government commitments assessed, none received a score of ‘Commitment Achieved’. Two commitments received a ‘Good Progress’ score, showing positive results for family carers. Most commitments – 15 – received a score of ‘Limited Progress’, meaning that there have been steps in the right direction but progress is slow; thirteen commitments received a ‘No Progress’ score, meaning that there was no evidence that any change has taken place that would have an impact on family carers’ lives. Finally, four commitments received a ‘Regressive’ score, meaning that the situation has worsened for family carers during the review period.
A copy of the scorecard has been shared with all relevant government departments. Members of the Irish Government were also invited to attend a briefing on the scorecard at its launch on April 29th. The Family Carer Scorecard can be viewed at https://www.familycarers.ie/policy-lobbying/family-carer-scorecards/
