The Government needs to support the thousands of unpaid carers across the State by investing more in welfare benefits for carers and providing better community care services, the Equality Authority will say today.
An advisory group established by the authority is compiling a report for the Government which will make a series of recommendations on supporting carers and their families.
At a conference on the issue today, the authority's chief executive, Mr Niall Crowley, will say a balance in the "sharing of caring" between the State and families is vital in supporting carers.
While many EU countries have either a legal obligation on the extended family or the State to provide care, there are no such clear responsibilities in Ireland or Britain.
The advisory group has said a "proper balance" in care responsibilities is needed between the family, the State, the private sector and voluntary organisations.
"Currently the State plays a residual role with service provision, often only provided in the absence of family care or when family care breaks down. The State needs to play a more proactive role to address current carer needs and the potential future decrease in the number of people taking on caring roles," Mr Crowley will say.
This could be achieved through new investment to enhance income support for carers, further development of community care services and building a "care infrastructure" for older people and people with disabilities.
A new valuing of carers could also be reflected in entitlements to needs assessments for carers, as in Britain, when significant amounts of care are being provided. Another key area to be addressed would be allowing carers to maintain a balance between their paid work and caring role.
This "work life" balance could be achieved by compensating employees for lost working hours and by introducing a workplace culture which appreciates the needs of carers. This would require generous flexible and paid statutory leave entitlements.
Future changes to policy or legislative changes will also have to take account of the diversity of carers, according to Mr Crowley.
"Accommodating diversity is about making adjustments in policy, provision and practice to take this diversity into account," Mr Crowley will say.