Over 110,000 carers to receive lump sum cost-of-living payment

Over 110,000 carers in Ireland are set to receive a lump sum cost-of-living payment. 

According to the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, the €500 payment will be paid to 114,500 carers' bank accounts on Thursday (November 24). 

The Carers Support Grant was secured as part of Budget 2023 for a total cost of €57.3 million.  

Speaking today, Minister Humphreys said she was pleased to announce the news. 

She said, "This payment is in addition to the annual Carer’s Support Grant of €1,850 paid earlier this year. 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.

"Your commitment and work in supporting those that need help and support is hugely important and is greatly appreciated." 

The payment is being made automatically to people receiving a Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance payment. 

Those who received the annual Carer's Support Grant in June who have confirmed that they are still caring will also receive the €500 lump sum payment. 

Minister Humphreys added: "This payment of €500 is one of eight lump sum payments that I secured as part of the Budget to help households during this extremely challenging period.

"It follows the Autumn Double Payment last month, which supported 1.4 million pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and working families. It will be followed by the payment of the Christmas Bonus in December. 

"We also last week issued four lump sum payments, totalling €325 million. These payments were designed to our elderly, people with disabilities. 

"This €1.2 billion package of lump sum payments is about helping families and our most vulnerable with the rising costs they are facing over the winter period." 

The vast majority of recipients are in Dublin (25,425 carers), followed by Cork (13,558 carers) and Limerick (6,013 carers), while the fewest grant recipients can be found in Leitrim (916) and Longford (1,332). 

A list of the full county breakdown of recipients: