7.3 per cent of the community requires assistance with core activities, this represents 22 people.

The number of people requiring assistance has increased by six people between 2011 and 2016 and by one person between 2016 and 2021.  Across the ten-year Census period, there has been an increase of 46.6 per cent in the population that need support with core activities.

In addition, the number of people that have 'not stated' need for assistance has decreased slightly over time, from 7.1 per cent (27 people) in 2011 to 11.7 per cent (42 people) in 2016, while in 2021 this reduced to 7 per cent or 21 people.

The largest proportion of people that required assistance with core activities in 2021 was those aged 65-74, making up 40.9 per cent (nine people) of those that need assistance. Followed by those aged 45-54 and 55-64, both representing 18.2 per cent (four people) of people that need assistance.

There are 45 people providing unpaid assistance to a person with a disability, health condition or due to old age within the Boyne Valley. There has been an increase of seven people providing unpaid assistance between 2011 and 2021.

There has been a general decrease in younger people providing unpaid assistance in the Boyne Valley, in 2011 there were three people (7.9 per cent of people) in each of the following age brackets: 15-19, 20-24, 25-34. This decreased to zero people in 2016 and 2021.

Those providing support are aging. The number of people providing support aged 55-64 increased from nine in 2011 to 19 in 2021, making up 42.2 per cent of those that provide support. The number of people providing assistance aged 65-74 also increased from six to 11 over the same period. A smaller increase was seen for people aged 75-84.

There are two times the amount of people providing unpaid assistance to those that require assistance with core activities in the Boyne Valley.

Considerations:

• The age of the population needing support is increasing as is the age of those providing support.