Senator Gabrielle McFadden is urging people to apply for the Carer’s Support Grant this week.
Senator McFadden said that coming from a family who provided care at home to a family member, she understands first hand the importance and the vital role of the carer.
“Many people would not be in a position to remain in their home without the dedicated work of their carer,” she said. “We were lucky as a family to be able to provide this care, and we know it made a difference.”
Senator McFadden today urged carers to apply if not automatically eligible for the Carer’s Support Grant which will be paid out to 86,000 carers on Thursday, June 2. Senator McFadden said there is still time to make an application.
“The 2016 Carer’s Support Grant which will be paid this week has been fully restored to its previous level of €1,700,” she said. “This is an important grant which is paid automatically to carers who are already in receipt of schemes like the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance,” Senator McFadden said. “Other full-time carers who are not eligible for these schemes can also apply for the grant, and I would urge them to make an application. Carers who provide full-time care for more than one person may also be entitled to €1,700 for each person that they are caring for.
“Formerly known as the Respite Care Grant, the payment had been reduced by €325 during the economic crisis. However, I am very pleased that Fine Gael in the last Budget were able to restore it to its previous level of €1,700.”
Budget 2016 provided for the Carer’s Allowance to be paid for 12 weeks from January 2016, after the death of the person being cared for. Previously this payment was issued for six weeks.
