Naas Mam is Kildare's Carer of the Year

THIS year’s Family Carer of the Year for Kildare is Jacqueline Conlan from Naas.

Mum-of-two Jacqueline cares full-time for her youngest daughter Molly (12) who has many complex needs including epilepsy, autism, Type 1 diabetes, dyspraxia and urticaria.

Molly has faced many trials and tribulations during her young life and Jacqueline has been by her side every step of the way, ensuring that her daughter can live as normal a life as possible while battling to secure vital supports and services including education.

Jacqueline is also heavily involved in her local community and has been described as a “hidden angel” by her husband David, who says that his wife is “everything to everyone” and someone who is always there to provide help and advice for family and friends.

Now in their 17th year, the Netwatch Family Carer Awards seek to honour all family carers while shining a light on the urgent need for greater recognition and support of those who go above and beyond in caring for their loved ones, often without the necessary support from the State including appropriate financial compensation.

There are over 500,000 family carers in Ireland providing 19 million hours in unpaid work each week. If the State were to seek to replace this support, it would cost an astonishing €20 billion annually.