Ireland has the third highest weekly hours of unpaid work across the EU.

45% of women and 29% of men are providing care for others every day, according to new research from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.

The report, which looks at unpaid work in the areas of caring, housework and childcare, finds women spend double the time of men on caring.

The majority of those providing unpaid care are also in employment.

Bernie Bradley, a full-time Social Inclusion Officer who cares for her daughter with Down Syndrome, says the findings need to be highlighted.

Ms Bradley says, "the statistics weren't shocking. I think its important that they are highlighted. I think carers and unpaid carers are the unsung heroes of the community, often unnoticed because they are caring- they haven't got the time to be out.  I think reports like this are important."