01 Jun 3,800 Mayo carers to receive support grant

A Mayo TD has welcomed the news that 3,814 full-time carers across the county will receive the Carer’s Support Grant.

The annual grant of €1,850 is in recognition of the key role carers play every single day.

It 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 is expected to be in the region of €260 million.

The 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 14,000 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 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.

Deputy Dillon said: “I am very pleased to announce that over 125,000 carers will receive the annual Carer’s Support Grant of €1,850 this week. This will be paid automatically to those who are receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes.”

He added: “My colleague in the Department of Social Protection, Minister Heather Humphreys is also looking into place measures to provide a scheme to ensure that long-term carers are provided with paid contributions for gaps in their social insurance record for the first time in the history of the State. This will enhance State Pension provision for carers who have spent more than 20 years of their lives caring.”

Deputy Dillon thanked all the carers across Mayo for the vital and valuable contribution they play in supporting those that need help and assistance.