3,900 Mayo carers to receive support grant
MINISTER of State Alan Dillon has welcomed the news that 3,937 full-time carers across Mayo will receive the Carer’s Support Grant this week.
The annual grant of €1,850 is in recognition of the key role carers play every single day. In Mayo, a total of €7,283,450 will be paid to carers tomorrow (Thursday).
The payment 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 €275 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.
Minister Dillon said: “I am very pleased to announce that over 132,000 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.”
Minister Dillon thanked all the carers across Mayo for the vital and valuable contribution they play in supporting those that need help and assistance. Your commitment and work in supporting those that need help and support is hugely important and is greatly appreciated.”