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Press release

Minister Humphreys announces payment of Carer's Support Grant

  • 132,000 carers will receive grant of €1,850 tomorrow
  • payment will issue directly to people’s Bank Account or Post Office
  • total cost is €275 million
  • Minister Humphreys: "This is about recognising the vital role our carers play"

The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has announced that the Carer’s Support Grant will be paid to 132,000 carers across the country tomorrow (Thursday 6 June).

The grant of €1,850 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 overall cost of the grant being paid this week is €275 million.

The grant will issue directly to people’s bank account or post office on Thursday.

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.

Almost 15,000 carers are providing care for two or more people and will receive a grant in respect of each person they are caring for.

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.

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

“I am very pleased to announce that 132,000 carers will receive the Carer’s Support Grant of €1,850 tomorrow.

“This will be paid automatically to those who are receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes.

“The Carer’s Support Grant was increased to €1,850 as the first of a number of improvements I have introduced in recent years in recognition of the vital role of carers and the contribution they make to society.

“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 all our local communities.

“Your commitment and work in supporting those that need help and support is hugely important and is greatly appreciated.”

Notes

Full information on the Carer’s Support Grant.

County breakdown of Carer’s Support Grant recipients

CARLOW 2,113
CAVAN 2,182
CLARE 3,091
CORK 15,650
DONEGAL 5,476
DUBLIN 29,556
GALWAY 6,651
KERRY 4,481
KILDARE 5,453
KILKENNY 2,418
LAOIS 2,550
LEITRIM 1,032
LIMERICK 7,023
LONGFORD 1,567
LOUTH 4,080
MAYO 3,937
MEATH 4,712
MONAGHAN 1,610
OFFALY 2,935
ROSCOMMON 2,120
SLIGO 1,864
TIPPERARY 5,596
WATERFORD 3,446
WESTMEATH 3,061
WEXFORD 5,229
WICKLOW 3,817

Notes

How to qualify for Carer’s Support Grant

You automatically qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant if you get Carers Allowance, Carers 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 Jobseekers Allowance or Jobseekers 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.

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