I want to bring to focus the role of young family carers. A recently published ESRI report highlighted the challenges faced by young people who are overburdened in their role as carers for parents, siblings or close relatives. The story of a 17-year-old student from the west of Ireland who helps her six-year-old non-verbal autistic brother was highlighted in the report. The young girl highlighted the difficulties she faces in progressing her studies while also assisting her brother. Young carers have been identified as a group who are at risk of social exclusion, additional health problems, including mental health issues, and curtailed opportunities as a result of their extra responsibilities.

It is crucial that our State agencies, including Tusla and educational institutions, understand and recognise this largely invisible group, the members of which are often difficult to reach. Will consideration be given to broadening the scope of suitable programmes, such as the school completion programme, to encompass this young carer group? Can home-school community liaison co-ordinators be allocated to assist in providing the necessary academic, social and emotional supports?

Deputy Kenny has left the Chamber but I put on the record that a clinical review group is being established to follow up on the HRB report.

I thank Deputy Dillon for raising what is a very important report. I am a passionate believer in school completion and have been all my life. We have very high rates of school completion in Ireland but the school completion rate of the cohort referenced in the report, that is, young carers, is affected by their caring duties, as are their school performance and their progression to third level. I will talk to the Minister for Education and others to see what we can do to assist young carers to optimise their performance in education generally and ensure they are not negatively impacted by their caring role.