‘Highest ever' €2k payment for 138k Irish TODAY in ‘vital role' boost after 25-year €1,746 increase & full list revealed
SOME 138,000 Irish people will today receive a €2,000 cash boost straight into their accounts, it has been confirmed.
The Carer's Support Grant has this year reached its "highest ever level" after
Advertisement
2
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary confirmed the payment landed into accounts today
Credit: Getty Images
2
Some 16,000 people will receive a €4,000 payment
Credit: Getty Images
The grant 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.
Minister for Social Protection
And over 16,000 carers are providing care for two or more people
- meaning they will receive a grant in respect of each person.
Announcing the payment this morning, Minister Calleary said the extra cash is designed to recognise the "vital role" carers play in society.
Advertisement
READ MORE IN MONEY
He said: "The
"This is one of a number of improvements introduced this year in recognition of the vital role of carers and the contribution they make to society.
"The Grant will be paid automatically to those who are receiving the
"It is also available to other full-time carers not receiving these payments and is paid in respect of each person being cared for."
Advertisement
MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN
There are
New online application system opens for €360 or €180 Domiciliary Care Allowance applications
The Carer's Support Grant is also available to other full-time carers who are not receiving any of these payments.
You can qualify for the payment if you are aged over 16, ordinarily resident in Ireland and caring for the person a full-time basis for at least six months - including the first Thursday in June.
You must also be living with the person being cared for, or meet certain criteria.
Advertisement
FULL LIST OF GRANT NUMBERS BY COUNTY
SOME 138,000 carers across Ireland received the Carer's Allowance Grant today.
The county with the highest number of carer's who received the cash boost was Dublin, with 31,191 eligible carer's.
Leitrim, which is the smallest county by population, had the least amount of carer's who received the payment.
The number of people who received the grant by each county has been revealed:
Carlow - 2,165
Cavan - 2,324
Clare - 3,128
Cork - 16,432
Donegal - 5,664
Dublin - 31,191
Galway - 6,969
Kerry - 4,666
Kildare - 5,850
Kilkenny - 2,523
Laois - 2,730
Leitrim - 1,095
Limerick - 7,220
Longford - 1,605
Louth - 4,337
Mayo - 4,084
Meath - 5,045
Monaghan - 1,669
Offaly - 3,051
Roscommon - 2,191
Sligo - 1,922
Tipperary - 5,807
Waterford - 3,683
Westmeath - 3,227
Wexford - 5,452
Wicklow - 4,038
In a situation like this, where the carer and person being cared for live separately, an investigation is conducted by a
"You dedicate yourselves to providing care to support your loved ones and 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 our local communities."
The Respite Care Grant was introduced in 1999 at a rate of £200, which is worth €254.
Advertisement
In 2016, the name of the payment was changed to the Carer's Support Grant to better reflect how the grant is used and, in 2025, the payment was increased to €2,000.
STILL TIME TO APPLY
The Carer's Support Grant is not a means-tested payment and only one can be paid for each person getting care.
If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance, you do not need to apply for the money.
Instead, you will automatically get it in June.
Advertisement
However, those not getting one of the above payments should fill in the Carer's Support Grant application form (CSG1) for each person they are caring for.
Applications for the Carer's Support Grant are open from April until 31 December of the following year - meaning those eligible who haven't applied won't miss out on the cash payment.
And those who were eligible for the payment last summer but didn't receive it can still apply.
For example, you can apply for the Carer's Support Grant for 2024 at any time from April 2024 up until 31 December 2025.
Advertisement
And you can apply for the Carer's Support Grant in 2025 at any time from April 2025 up until 31 December 2026.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
14 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Mother and baby home survivors may lose UK welfare benefits if they receive the Irish redress payments
Compensation payments will be classed as savings – unless UK ratifies 'Philomena's Law' Today at 00:40 Mother and baby home survivors now living in the UK are 'effectively barred' from the Irish state redress scheme, because accessing funds would cut off their British welfare benefits or housing supports. Others living in the United States have had their national medical insurance or social security withdrawn as a result of receiving redress payments, according to a report sent to the Government.
Irish Independent
15 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Letters: Lying might be a sin but there are times when we can't handle the truth
It took me back to preparation for my first confession, at the age of seven. In my quest to give it my best shot, I consulted an older cousin for his understanding of sin. He explained that if you told a lie a black mark the size of a sixpence would appear on your tongue. Undeterred, when the time came to enter the confession box I simply delivered my shopping list of sins: I pulled my brother's hair, I stole a biscuit, I told a lie. They were all quite believable, even if they never happened. I never developed that black mark on my tongue, so all was well. In the article, Dr Padraic Gibson suggests social media may have something to do with the supposed growth in lying; but we were born with the capacity to manage the truth, and it could be a lifesaver sometimes. As a young school student, my son was asked to write an essay on the subject of telling the truth. He wisely suggested you would have to carefully consider your reply if someone asked you: 'Does my bottom look big in this?' I wondered where he got this wisdom at such a tender age. Margaret Acton, Castleknock, Dublin 15 Value of teachers seen as school gates close Madam — Last year, in my local pub, I was enjoying a quiet Friday afternoon pint when a tall, well-built man just off the building site turned to me and said: 'So, you're Enda Cullen — the biggest bastard in the country.' That sobered me fast. It turned out I had suspended his workmate's son more than once during my time as a principal. I wouldn't allow the boy back without a parent present. The mother wouldn't come alone, so the father had to take a half-day and lose wages. That, apparently, earned me my reputation. After the initial shock, I was rather pleased, because in over 35 years in education I never taught a bad child. I met plenty who were angry, struggling or let down, but almost always the damage began elsewhere. As Conor Skehan rightly pointed out ('As schools empty for summer, let's salute the miracles they perform', June 22), it's only when the school gates close that we see what schools hold together — and what would otherwise fall apart. ADVERTISEMENT The Irish education system runs on quiet miracles: 1.2 million children guided daily by nearly 100,000 staff, mostly without fuss or failure. It's not just infrastructure, it's a national act of belief. And teachers, special needs assistants, caretakers and coaches show up every day, not for applause, but because someone has to. Sometimes that means suspension letters, uniform drives, early bird clubs and home visits. Sometimes it means getting called a bastard in the pub. And sometimes that's the best review you'll get. Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Armagh Conor Skehan avoided big issues in education Madam — I found Conor Skehan's piece on schools condescending ('As schools empty for summer, let's salute the miracles they perform', June 22). It fails to acknowledge the drastic shortage of teachers at all levels and overlooks the alarming decline in school discipline. Teachers are not paid well enough to make a living in Ireland, and pats on the back won't change that. Second, those in the system are finding that poor discipline by a sizeable minority of students is making it impossible to teach. The Department of Education won't offer the resources necessary to provide withdrawal rooms for disruptive students. These would provide a safe setting for chronically disruptive pupils to learn how to behave. Instead, we allow this minority to destroy the education of the majority. We are talking about poorly parented children. Instead of withdrawal rooms or better pay, we get pieces like Mr Skehan's. Basically, he is saying carry on, chaps and lassies — over the parapet into financial and behavioural chaos. Ben Murphy, Bray, Co Wicklow Kneecap's terrorist group support just ignored Madam — What does it say about us as a nation when we make heroes of people who are accused of singing the praises of an Islamic terror outfit that slaughtered hundreds of young people at a music festival simply because they were Jews? Does Barry Egan ('Kneecap have a blast on bail with hip-hop hymns for the Dublin faithful', June 22) not think this state of affairs might even be worthy of comment? Eddie Naughton, The Coombe, Dublin Presidential race is far from competitive Madam — I do not agree with PR consultant Richard Moore that the last presidential election was competitive and that it was a bloodbath ('Shadow of 2011 bloodbath hangs over race for the Áras', June 22). There may have been seven candidates, but most did not have a hope or a prayer. In reality, there was only one real contender, and he did win in the end. If few people seem interested this time around, it's because potential candidates realise that while an unsuccessful election campaign might raise your public image for a short time, it will be of no benefit in the long run. You will just be another political failure, and there are many of those. Thomas Garvey, Claremorris, Co Mayo Political debates can be traumatic Madam — Mary Regan reminds us of the brutal nature of presidential election debates ('Shadow of 2011 'bloodbath' hangs over race for Áras', June 22). These events cannot be considered part of the normal cut and thrust of politics, especially when one imagines that some of these candidates may end up traumatised by their experiences. On the other hand, it could be argued that these elections have produced some excellent and very popular presidents. One might then ask: does the end justify the means? John O'Brien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Let's make sure we keep bankers in line Madam — Shane Ross nailed it in his article on bankers ('Bankers cash in on Cabinet's lack of radical rebels', June 22). The unanimous absolution given by the Government to the banks, plus the sale of the State's remaining 2pc stake in AIB, has allowed them to return to the good old days. The removal of the €500,000 pay cap will allow bankers to pay themselves millions. Hopefully, this time the Central Bank will keep morecontrol and not let bankers return to offering unsecured loans to developers, which was the main cause of the last collapse. Brian Lube, Co Meath West will awaken with bold initiatives Madam — Lorraine Courtney raises some glaring issues ('For my generation, the 2008 crash is a wound that never healed', June 22). Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said recently that if he had one regret, it was being too cautious. The money was there to fix the big-ticket issues in housing, health and transport infrastructure. In an astonishing revelation last year, it emerged that €500m in capital spending was carried over by 15 government departments in 2023 alone. That much money would quite easily have completed the final leg of the Western Rail Corridor from Claremorris to Collooney that is so badly needed in this 'lagging region'', categorised by the EU as one of the most depressed economic regions in the whole of Europe. Caution and prudence are of course important traits of good government, but when capital spending is not used and is rolled over year on year, caution can be a huge drag on supporting struggling regions like the west and north-west. If balanced regional development is to be achieved, politicians at local and national level will have to be much more adventurous, aim higher with more bold and daring initiatives and be much more courageous in their forward thinking. Remember, faint heart never won fair lady. Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo Those in Tuam home were treated coldly Madam — David Quinn points readers towards the clear-eyed, painstaking report of the Commission of Investigation into the Mother and Baby Homes for truth ('Lurid claims obscure truth of Tuam', June 22). But can it really be found there? I find the report lacks empathy and compassion, as perhaps these detached commissions' findings tend to. Reports from decades later can never fully grasp historical painful events. The written word could never capture the reality. Quinn rails against the lurid headlines and sensational commentary in the aftermath of sad disclosures about Tuam. The undoubted truth is that mothers and babies where treated harshly and coldly. These places were anything but homes — homes in the main are warm and welcoming. There can be no redemption in making comparisons with infant mortality rates in the general population. The report clearly states that the high rate of infant mortality (first year of life) was probably the most disquieting feature of these institutions. The particular circumstances of these institutions can never be used as an excuse for lack of kindness. Kindness is the most inexpensive gift anyone can give to a fellow human. The painstaking work and care that will take place in recovering the partial remains of babies will sadly be the real truth of Tuam. Aidan Roddy, Cabinteely, Dublin 18 Courage needed to call out Gaza crimes Madam — In months and years to come we will inevitably hear countless excuses about the slaughter and destruction of Gaza. Shame on all politicians who refuse to speak out and condemn the aggressors, and thank you to the few political leaders, bands, football clubs (Bohemians FC) and celebrities who have the courage to speak out against these barbaric crimes. Mark Keane, Dunboyne, Co Meath Kate's presence a gift for cancer survivors Madam — Michael Kenefick admits to being 'mystified' that a photo of the Princess of Wales adorned the front page of the Sunday Independent on June 15 ('Why is Kate Middleton on the front page of an Irish paper?', Letters, June 22). Perhaps there are those who have had a brush with cancer who will have been buoyed by seeing a fellow survivor in apparently good spirits. The fact that Kate Middleton in a few years, all going well for her, may be Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, might answer the question he poses: 'What has Kate Middleton's fancy hat, Trooping the Colour... to do with anything related to Ireland?' Peter Declan O'Halloran, Belturbet, Co Cavan Hats off to Kate and our Irish milliners Madam — Michael Kenefick (Letters, June 22) questions the relevance of a photo of Kate Middleton wearing a 'fancy hat' being on the front of the Sunday Independent. Why not? Millinery is all the rage, as epitomised by our own Philip Treacy. Let's not get hot under the collar about hats on the head. Aileen Hooper, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 Trans debate needs to hear all voices Madam — Letters from Kate Flannery and Sarah Holmes (June 22) tell us that 'women are expected to stay quiet' and that their voices are 'shut down', citing a purported 'silencing of sex-based advocacy'. Women's voices do indeed matter, including those of women like me who disagree with the position of Ms Flannery and Ms Holmes on the rights of transgender people. We also have a right to be heard. Being contradicted is not oppression. Claiming to be silenced because your opponents' arguments are also afforded coverage is disingenuous at best. As for this alleged 'reluctance to talk' about issues surrounding the Gender Recognition Act, rarely a week goes by without an article or letters in this very newspaper touching on that subject. Bernie Linnane, Dromahair, Co Leitrim Rights being eroded by poor decisions Madam — In reply to Sarah Holmes's letter ('Female boundaries are being eroded', June 22), in 47 years of using bathrooms there has been zero threat to my rights and boundaries in using the closed, locked, private stall of a public bathroom, or in washing my hands at a sink beside someone who may or may not be a cis woman. There is, however, a real and worrying erosion of my rights and boundaries, and those of all women, in allowing these random people to decide who may or may not access public bathroom facilities. Margaret McPherson, Clongriffin, Dublin 13 O'Donovan's public message is inspiring Madam — Patrick O'Donovan is to be commended for going public on what it's like to live with epilepsy ('A minister's private struggle', June 22). He is also to be commended on pushing the Basic Income for the Arts scheme to be made permanent. The fact this scheme was a key plank of Eamon Ryan and the Green Party in the previous administration should not go unmentioned. Who would have predicted that Fine Gael in particular would now be keen on implementing a 'leftist' policy that is the antithesis of what the centre-right party stands for? Wonders never cease. Tom McElligott, Listowel, Co Kerry Golfgate anger was more than justified Madam — Shane Coleman's assertion in his interview in People & Culture ('Captain Sensible', June 8) that anger over the Golfgate scandal should be considered 'mob hysteria' seems extremely unfair. Upwards of 6,500 people lost their lives to Covid in Ireland, with many others still enduring the effects. Many families were denied funerals for loved ones as they obeyed the rules of the times. To describe any hurt felt by this group as 'mob hysteria' seems highly disrespectful and unnecessary. When we consider the efforts of healthcare and frontline workers and most citizens towards minimising the spread of Covid, the actions of the 80 or so elite who attended a golf dinner were rightly muchcriticised. A more empathetic description of Mr Coleman's hysterical mob might he a 'heartbroken herd'. Dr Patrick Daly, Dublin Beach is still best place for bikinis Madam — Young women wearing the skimpiest of bikinis were a common sight around the streets of Sutton during the recent heatwave. With all the hard-fought battles for women's rights — including the right not to be sexually objectified — it defies logic to see women putting themselves in this position. I totally agree with a woman's right to bodily autonomy, but there is still the matter of dressing appropriately in public. Other people have rights too, including the right to enjoy public spaces without seeing semi-nude bodies. Maybe keep the beachwear for the beach.
Irish Independent
15 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Can you hear me now? Ireland hosts European agency summit on space connectivity
With the global space economy projected to exceed €1.8 trillion by 2035, there are vast opportunities for businesses in telecoms, tech, advanced materials and more. More than 250 delegates from the optical and quantum communications sectors – around 20pc of them from Ireland – gathered in Dublin at the European Space Agency's 8th ScyLight Conference. They came from industry, academia, space agencies, governments and other stakeholders across Europe, Canada, Japan, the US and Australia to discuss how to build secure, high-capacity, space-based connectivity. Just as fibre optics are replacing copper cables on Earth, space communications are transitioning from traditional radio waves to high-capacity laser-based systems – an area where Ireland is building real strength. The conference offered Irish companies such as mBryonics, Pilot Photonics – recent winner of the Innovation Challenge Prize at the 2025 Paris Space Week – and Eblana Photonics, an international platform to raise their profile and build new partnerships. Likewise, research-performing organisations such as the Walton Institute (Southeast Technological University), the Tyndall Institute (UCC) and DCU also got to share their work, with speakers from each addressing the conference. One of the organisers was Deirdre Kilbane, who leads IrelandQCI, the Irish arm of EuroQCI, the EU-wide quantum communications infrastructure programme. Quantum technology is used to increase communications security. Attendees were welcomed by Declan Hughes, the Secretary-General of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Marina Donohoe, Head of Research, Innovation and Infrastructure at Enterprise Ireland. IDA clients also attended Scylight, including Viasat, a satellite network operator with offices in Ireland, and Altera, which spun out of Intel earlier this year. While Ireland might not always be perceived as a space pioneer, 2025 marks 50 years since Ireland became a founding member of the European Space Agency. Most of the companies engaging with ESA are spinouts from third-level funded research Numerous Irish businesses are making a significant contribution to the global space industry across areas such as satellite communications, navigation systems and Earth Observation. Recent growth in the sector in Ireland can be credited at least in part to the 2019 National Space Strategy for Enterprise. Since its launch, the number of Irish companies engaging with ESA has grown to 116 from 25 in 2014. ADVERTISEMENT Many of these companies, including all three mentioned above, are spinouts from third-level funded research. Most if not all have also benefited from Enterprise Ireland and Research Ireland (formerly Science Foundation Ireland) funding and support. Through the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund, for example, we have helped to launch and scale several space-focused projects, including FreeForm Optix, The National Space Subsystems and Payloads Initiative, and CAMEO, which is advancing Ireland's capabilities in Earth Observation. Ireland's growing space ecosystem also supports broader policy goals – from enhancing digital sovereignty to enabling secure communications and contributing to Europe's technological leadership. To learn more about Ireland's space industry or to discuss opportunities to pivot into this market, please get in touch with the Irish Delegation to ESA.
