The annual support grant of €1,700 has been paid to 114,000 people across the country, with 6,025 carers in Galway receiving the grant today.
The annual grant of €1,700 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 grant was paid automatically today to carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance and it is also available to full-time carers who do not receive these payments.
Among those to receive payments today are those who care for more than one person – and they will receive a grant in respect of each person they are caring for.
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty said: “Today, 125,000 grants will be paid automatically to 114,000 people receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes.
“It is also available to full-time carers who are not in receipt of these payments.
“I urge these carers to apply for this grant. It is not means-tested and is assessed on the level of care being provided by the carer.”
East Galway TD Ciarán Cannon acknowledged the ‘tremendous work’ carried out by carers across Galway and the ‘selfless work’ they do.
“Their contribution to society and our wider healthcare system is beyond measure.
“Minister Doherty has also confirmed to me that Department officials are currently working with Pobal in drawing up the specifications for a funding call under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2020 for specific measures dealing with working age carers and young carers. The call will go out in early Autumn this year,” said Minister Cannon.
Application forms along with full details on the Carer’s Support Grant are available on the Department’s website.
