It has been confirmed that 3,860 carers in county Louth will be paid the carers support grant of €1,850 this week in recognition of the key role they provide in supporting and caring for the most vulnerable in our society. 

In response to the announcement by his FG colleague, Minister Heather Humphreys that over €7.1m will be paid to carers in Louth this week, local TD Fergus O’Dowd said:  

“Whilst this is welcome news, I will continue to press Minister Humphreys to put carers at the forefront of any decision making process as we approach Budget 2024. 

“We have seen a number of improvements for carers in recent years including an increase in the grant amount, improved weekly income disregards and also plans 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. 

“It’s time we saw further improvements and commitments for carers. O’Dowd added. “I would like to thank all of our carers in the community for the selfless care and support they provide loved ones.”

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
• you ordinarily reside in the Irish State
• you care for the person full time
• you have been caring for the person for a continuous period of at least six months, and this period includes the first Thursday in June
• you 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