The national project is the first of its kind in Ireland in which a higher education institution delivered university courses directly to family carers.
Courses were provided to carers free of charge across the island of Ireland. Carers from Donegal to Kerry, Galway to Dublin, achieved certificates from South East Technological University from 2022 to 2025 via the €1million HEA funded project in partnership with Family Carers Ireland, the national carers organisation.
The project forms a blueprint for increased support of family carers in Irish society. It highlights not only the ability of carers to engage in higher education, but how they enrich the learning landscape through their lived experience. It is a tangible demonstration of the fundamental importance of supporting those in caring roles.
President Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland, joined family carers, community partners, and local representatives today at the Visual Centre for Contemporary Art and the George Bernard Shaw Theatre in Carlow for the showcase of South East Technological University’s (SETU) project report, ‘Supporting Family Carers Across Ireland’.
The event brought together the people at the heart of the project, family carers themselves, whose lived experience, dedication and resilience shaped the initiative. Carers were joined by Professor Veronica Campbell, President of SETU, who officially launched the report, and Sharon Foley, CEO of Family Carers Ireland.
Speaking about the project, President Connolly commented, “Mar Uachtarán na hÉireann, ba mhaith liom mo bheannachtaí ó chroí a roinnt le gach duine a mbeidh i láthair ag taispeántas tionscnaimh Tacaíocht do Chúramóirí Teaghlaigh ar fud na hÉireann ag SETU an tseachtain seo.”
“This project shines a welcome spotlight on the vital, yet all-too-often unseen contribution that family carers across our country perform. Theirs is an extraordinary service, providing compassion, care and stability to loved ones without recognition or reward,."
President Catherine Connolly, President of Ireland.
“I would also like to commend SETU on this important initiative, which highlights the support needs of carers, celebrates their remarkable commitment and dedication, and promotes a greater awareness of their invaluable work,” the President concluded.
On launching the report, Prof. Campbell said “This project reflects SETU’s ongoing work to remove barriers to education for learners who face great challenges. We understand the immense contribution that carers make to our society and today we celebrate you.”
“Your knowledge and experience are profoundly valuable, not only to those you care for, but to the wider community. The report demonstrates a national model for inclusive, lifelong learning adapted to the realities of caregiving.”
Nicola McEntee, Project Coordinator, said “Today is a wonderful celebration of the impact of higher education that is flexible, inclusive, and designed in partnership with those most in need. It has been an enormous privilege to work on this project alongside our partners at Family Carers Ireland and the Higher Education Authority. The work and support provided by family carers is invaluable to our society.”
The report showcases a project of national scale and impact:
- 791 family carers enrolled in 43 accredited programmes, far exceeding the original Higher Education Authority target of 490.
- Participants engaged in Level 6 to 8 programmes across communications, health and wellbeing, disability studies, advocacy, leadership, equality, and management.
- Students participated from 25 counties, enabled by flexible online delivery that removed traditional barriers such as transport, cost, and replacement care.
- 66 carers completed multiple programmes, with some completing up to seven.
- 661 family carers attended 60 masterclasses, fostering national communities of practice and peer-led support networks.
- SETU became the first Higher Education Institution in Ireland to be recognised as a Caring Employer, with 86% of surveyed staff identifying caring responsibilities.
Family carers invaluably contribute to Irish society through significantly reducing the cost of care to adults and children with additional needs, physical or intellectual disabilities, frail older people, those with palliative care needs or those living with chronic illnesses, mental health challenges or addiction.
According to Family Carers Ireland (2020), family carers provide 19 million hours of unpaid care every week saving the state €20 billion per annum. In Ireland, over 500,000 people identify as family carers.
Project report: