- To encourage more elderly persons to continue living in their own homes and communities, reforms were introduced in 2017 and 2018 to the Carer’s Pension and the Carer’s Allowance. The Carer’s Pension was renamedthe Increased Carer’s Allowance and made payable to carers, including spouses, providing care to individuals with a high level of dependency. The Carer’s Allowance is granted to carers supporting persons with a medium level of dependency. In both cases, payment rates were significantly increased. Additionally, if a married beneficiary of this allowance loses entitlement to another social benefit, an extra weekly allowance is granted to every other member of the family.
- In 2019, the conditions were further improved by exempting applicants for both allowances from undergoing a means test. Married individuals living in the same household as an elderly person also became eligible to receive the Carer’s Allowance until reaching pensionable age.
- In 2021 the eligibility criteria were widened to allow persons in retirement or in receipt of a pension to qualify for both allowances, subject they undergo a periodical medical examination to assess their physical and mental suitability to impart care. Spouses are, however excluded.
- The Social Security legislation was amended in 2023 to recognize spouses in a civil union or cohabitation who apply for a Carer’s Allowance or an Increased Carer’s Allowance.
- Persons who for a time, quit their jobs to take care of their parents at home,in 2023 became eligible to an accreditation of four (4) years of social security contributions. Furthermore, as beneficiaries of the carer’s allowances they have the option to pay up to five (5) years of missing contributions on reaching fifty-nine (59) years of age.
- A Carer’s Grant was introduced in 2021 for parents who have to stay at home to take care of a child with a severe disability over sixteen (16) years of age. The annual grant was originally set at €300 and increased to €500 in 2022. As from 2023 the grant became pegged to half the annual net National Minimum Wage.
- In 2025, the Carer’s Grant was extended to parents constrained to remain at home to care for children under sixteen (16) years with a severe disability.
- Parents in receipt of the Carers’ Grant are eligible to accreditation of four (4) years of NI contributions to safeguard their right to a pension on reaching retirement age.
Recent Comments