Over 121,000 people received a grant this week of €1,850, however thousands more could now be eligible to avail of the payment.
The Carer's Support Grant is available to all carers providing full-time care to a person with a disability, or to an older person.
The payment was increased to €1850 by Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys in her first budget as Minister for Social Protection.
Read more: HSE blasted as hero nurses still waiting for €1,000 Covid payment
It was paid automatically on Thursday this week to those who receive the Career's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and those on Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes. However, thousands more people could now be eligible with new changes accounced.
Here are the changes that were brought in by the minister:
- an increase in the capital disregard for carers from €20,000 to €50,000
- the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance will increase to €350 per week for single carers, and to €750 per week for a couple
Minister Humphreys said: "I am very pleased to also announce that almost 121,000 carers will receive the annual Carer's Support Grant of €1,850 from Thursday.
"This will be paid automatically to those who are receiving the Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and those on 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 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."
Minister Humphreys also announced a major change to the means test for the Carer's Allowance, which will allow more carers to qualify for the weekly payment.
Read more: Foreign students sleep in former Dublin nightclub as housing crisis deepens
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox.
