A report has found teenage carers are "significantly" less likely than their classmates to perform well in the Leaving Cert and go on to college.
The Economic and Social Research Institute says a quarter of 17-year-olds and a fifth of 20-year-olds regularly care for another family member.
The study investigated the impact their caring had on their well being, their education and their relationships.
Report Author, Professor Helen Russell, says caring can affect where young people go for further education.
'They are progressing to third level but they're more likely to be doing further education courses and it also affects their choices, it constrains their institution choices so they place a stronger emphasis on being able to study close to home and live at home while they're studying.'
