Minister Calleary announces payment of highest ever Carer’s Support Grant

• 138,000 Carers will receive grant of €2,000 today
• grant has increased this year by €150, from €1,850 to €2,000 – its highest ever level

The Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has announced that the Carer’s Support Grant will be paid to 138,000 carers across the country today.

The grant is not taxable and is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions.

The rate of the Carer’s Support Grant has been increased this year by €150, from €1,850 to €2,000 – its highest ever level.

The overall cost of the grant being paid today is €313 million.

The Carer’s Support Grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers.

Over 16,000 carers are providing care for two or more people and will receive a grant in respect of each person they are caring for.

Announcing the payment of the Carer’s Support Grant, Minister Calleary commented:

“I am delighted to announce that 138,000 carers will receive the Carer’s Support Grant of €2,000 today.

“The Carer’s Support Grant this year has been increased by €150, to €2,000, its highest level ever.

“This is one of a number of improvements introduced this year in recognition of the vital role of carers and the contribution they make to society.

“The Grant will be paid automatically to those who are receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes. It is also available to other full-time carers not receiving these payments and is paid in respect of each person being cared for.

“As Minister for Social Protection, I recognise the crucial role family carers play in our society. You dedicate yourselves to providing care to support your loved ones and I want to take this opportunity to thank all carers in Ireland for the vital and valuable contribution you play in our society and in our local communities.”

The Carer’s Support Grant is paid automatically to to all recipients of Carer’s Allowance (whether full-rate or half-rate), Carer’s Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance. It is also available to other full-time carers who are not receiving any of these payments.

Further information on the Carer’s Support Grant is available at www.gov.ie/csg.

County breakdown of Carer’s Support Grant recipients

The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment, usually paid on the first Thursday in June.

The Respite Care Grant was introduced in 1999 at a rate of £200 (€254). In 2016 the name of the payment was changed to the Carer’s Support Grant to better reflect how the grant is used.

How to qualify for Carer’s Support Grant

You automatically qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant if you get Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA).

If you are not getting any of these payments, you may still qualify if you meet these conditions if you:

• are 16 or over
• ordinarily reside in the Irish State
• care for the person full time
• have been caring for the person for a continuous period of at least six months, and this period includes the first Thursday in June
• live with the person you are caring for or you are contactable quickly by a direct system of communication such as a telephone or an alarm

You do not qualify for Carer's Support Grant if you are:

• working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week. (Note: you must show us that the person you are caring for has adequate care while you are working, on an education course, or both)
• getting Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
• signing on for credited contributions
• living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution

If you are caring for more than one person, you will get a grant for each person cared for.

The Carer’s Support Grant is exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC.