A teenager from Dublin who is battling cancer has been named Ireland's Young Carer of the Year 2014.

Jamie Mooney, 17, from Shankill was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in June.

He is undergoing intensive chemotherapy but continues providing care for his mother, Sabrina Mooney.

Ms Mooney, 35, was diagnosed with Epilepsy shortly after Jamie was born.

Since childhood, Jamie has often called ambulance services and talked medical personnel through his mother's condition when she was having seizures.

"Jamie has never ever complained once in all his life and now my amazing young child is himself fighting a horrible disease. It is amazing that he is still so positive and still everyday asks me if I am Okay," said Ms Mooney.

The Carers' Association says this year's awards saw a 400% increase in the number of nominations for young carers.

It said some nominees were as young as ten-years-old.

Twenty-one family carers from across Ireland are being presented with special awards today.

Madeleine Morrissey, 69, from Enniscorthy, Co Wexford was announced Ireland's Carer of the Year.

She provides full-time care for her three, now adult, children.

Jay, 40, Pat, 38, and Sheila, 36, have intellectual disabilities.

Speaking at the awards, Catherine Cox, Head of Communications of the Carers' Association, said: "While caring is often a very challenging role, family carers provide care with love and find it a very rewarding experience.

"We want to celebrate the enormous contribution and loving care provided by our family carers with these awards."