A survey by Tallaght University Hospital has found that caring for a person a long term illness and disability is now the single largest factor impacting on a household’s physical and mental well-being.

The Survey found that 54% of households surveyed are caring for a person with a chronic illness with 61% of those surveyed have suffered from consistent substantial stress over the past 12 months.

Calls are now being made for the HSE to support carers practically and financially with the survey noting there is a “compelling need” for universal access to high quality mental health services.