Applications to be opened for €2,000 one-off payment

Applications for the grant are said to open within days.

Those who provide full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability will be able to apply for the grant from April 1.

The non-means test Carer's Support will provide a lump-sum payment to those people serving as carers.

Those who qualify for the grant are permitted to spend it however they see fit.

The annual payment is paid out for each person the carer cares for, meaning if they care for multiple people, they will receive multiple payments.

In Budget 2025, the grant increased from €1,850 to €2,000.

The payment is automatically paid out to those receiving the following benefits:

• Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate)
• Carer’s Benefit
• Domiciliary Care Allowance

If you do not receive these payments, you can still qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant if you are:

• Aged16 or over
• Ordinarily resident in Ireland
• Caring for the person on a full-time basis
• Caring for the person for at least six months (this six-month period must include the first Thursday in June)
• Living with the person being cared for (or if you don't live with them, you must meet certain criteria - for example, the person must be able to contact you quickly and directly)

During your 6 months of caring, you must not:

• Work more than 18.5 hours per week (as an employee or in self-employment)
• Take part in an education or training course for more than 18.5 hours a week
• Get Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit
• Sign on for credited contributions
• Live in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution

The grant will be paid out on Thursday, June 5.

Carers can apply for the 2025 payout at any time from April 1 until December 31, 2026.