Latest news with #DomiciliaryCareAllowance
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Times
Appeals against initial refusal of Domiciliary Care Allowance successful 60% of time
More than 60 per cent of parents of disabled children win their appeals after being initially turned down for a care support payment, figures show. The Domiciliary Care Allowance is a €360 monthly payment for parents of disabled children under the age of 16. It is not means tested or awarded based on a child's disability or diagnosis, but is dependent on the level of care a child needs compared to a child of the same age who is not disabled. According to figures obtained by Fine Gael TD James Geoghegan , between 2020 and 2024 there were 35,234 Domiciliary Care Allowances awarded following 52,541 applications. Out of the 17,695 of applications refused, which represents 34 per cent of all families who sought the payment, 11,087 tried to appeal the refusal. More than 60 per cent of appeals taken saw the original decision overturned in part or in full. In 3,797 cases, a 'deciding officer' overturned the original refusal. In another 203 cases, the appeal was partially allowed. And in 2,912 cases an 'appeals officer' overturned the refusal. READ MORE Mr Geoghegan's figures, which are compiled from a series of parliamentary questions, also show that 67 High Court judicial reviews were taken after families were refused the allowance during the same time period. Of these judicial reviews taken, 50 resulted in the payment being awarded to the family. [ Spiralling numbers being diagnosed with disabilities will have 'significant impact' on social welfare spend Opens in new window ] Mr Geoghegan said he had met families who had to 'fight tooth and nail' for the allowance. 'It does not make sense to me. Especially because, if you meet these children, it's clear and obvious that they have an additional need that's being supported by their parents through one form or another,' Mr Geoghegan said. He added that the allowance should be accessible to families, who are forced to spend money on private interventions and therapies for their children due to long waiting lists and a lack of services through the publicly funded HSE. 'We're talking about the development of a child here, and the State is struggling to assess that child and provide that child with the services that that child needs,' he said. [ Woman successfully resolves 'test' action over domiciliary care allowance refusal Opens in new window ] Mr Geoghegan said the parents are spending money on private occupational therapists, private speech and language therapists, and private psychologists. In response, Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary said he is aware of issues experienced by families trying to access the payment. He said he is 'keeping a big focus' on the issue. 'I want to address the delays in appeals; we've allocated extra resources to that. My overall approach to [the allowance] is that it's dealt with empathetically but also efficiently,' Mr Calleary said. According to the Department of Social Protection , the waiting times for the outcome of an appeal against a Domiciliary Care Allowance decision have been cut since the start of this year. By the end of 2024, 1,709 such appeals were awaiting a decision. As of this week, the figure was 489. A spokesman for the Minister said that this was due to 'proactive measures'.
Irish Independent
06-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Over 5,000 Meath carers recieve highest-ever €2,000 grant
Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary announced the €313 million payout, which is tax-free and available to full-time carers who look after an older person or someone with a disability. In Meath, 5,045 carers are set to benefit from the grant. The grant is paid automatically to recipients of Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance. It is also available to other full-time carers not receiving these payments. Carers looking after more than one person will receive a €2,000 grant for each individual in their care. Announcing the payment, Minister Calleary said: '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 Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes. It is also available to other full-time carers not receiving these payments and is paid in respect of each person being cared for.' He added: 'As Minister for Social Protection, I recognise the crucial role family carers play in our society. 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.' Since its introduction in 1999, the Carer's Support Grant has become one of the most significant direct supports for family carers. Originally called the Respite Care Grant, it was renamed in 2016 to better reflect the nature of the assistance it provides.
Agriland
05-06-2025
- Health
- Agriland
138,000 carers to receive support grant today
Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, has announced that the Carer's Support Grant will be paid to 138,000 carers across the country today. The grant is not taxable and 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. The rate of the Carer's Support Grant has been increased this year by €150, from €1,850 to €2,000 – its highest-ever level. The overall cost of the grant being paid today is €313 million. The Carer's Support Grant is paid in respect of each person being cared for to take account of the additional cost of providing care and to recognise the particular challenges faced by these carers. Over 16,000 carers are providing care for two or more people and will receive a grant in respect of each person they are caring for. Announcing the payment of the Carer's Support Grant, Minister Calleary commented: 'The Carer's Support Grant this year has been increased by €150, to €2,000, its highest level ever. '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 Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, and Domiciliary Care Allowance schemes. 'It is also available to other full-time carers not receiving these payments and is paid in respect of each person being cared for,' the minister added. The minister has acknowledged the crucial role family carers play in society. '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,' he added. The Carer's Support Grant is paid automatically to to all recipients of Carer's Allowance (whether full-rate or half-rate), Carer's Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance. It is also available to other full-time carers who are not receiving any of these payments. Payments to carers The Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment, usually paid on the first Thursday in June. The Respite Care Grant was introduced in 1999 at a rate of £200 (€254). In 2016, the name of the payment was changed to the Carer's Support Grant to better reflect how the grant is used. The table below outlines the county breakdown of Carer's Support Grant recipients; 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 Source: Department of Social Protection You automatically qualify for the Carer's Support Grant if you get Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, or Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA). If you are not getting any of these payments, you may still qualify if you meet these conditions: You are aged 16 or over; You ordinarily reside in the Irish State; You care for the person full-time; You have been caring for the person for a continuous period of at least six months, and this period includes the first Thursday in June; You live with the person you are caring for or you are contactable quickly by a direct system of communication such as a telephone or an alarm. You do not qualify for Carer's Support Grant if you are: Working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week. (Note: you must show us that the person you are caring for has adequate care while you are working, on an education course, or both); Getting Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker's Benefit; Signing on for credited contributions; Living in a hospital, convalescent home, or similar institution. If you are caring for more than one person, you will get a grant for each person cared for. The Carer's Support Grant is exempt from income tax, PRSI and USC.
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
‘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.
Irish Daily Mirror
04-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Social welfare €2,000 lump sum coming this week - full list of who qualifies
Thousands of social welfare recipients are in line for a €2,000 lump sum that's due to be paid out this week. The Carer's Support Grant, which is an annual benefit designed to recognise the hard work and dedication of those who provide full-time care to loved ones, is scheduled for payment tomorrow, Thursday, June 5. The grant, previously known as the Respite Care Grant, is automatically paid to individuals receiving Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance. However, even if you are not currently receiving these payments, you may still qualify for the Carer's Support Grant provided certain criteria are met. You must be: Certain restrictions apply during this caring period: Carers cannot work more than 18.5 hours a week, participate in education or training courses exceeding 18.5 hours per week, receive Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit, or reside in a hospital or similar institution. The grant also applies to those caring for multiple people, with a separate payment made for each person receiving care. Special consideration is given to carers of babies or children who are hospitalised, provided the child qualifies for Domiciliary Care Allowance. This year's Carer's Support Grant amount has been increased to €2,000, up from €1,850 in 2024, and it's not taxable. For those already receiving one of the qualifying payments, no application is necessary - the grant will be paid automatically. However, carers not on these payments must apply by submitting a Carer's Support Grant application form (CSG1) here, which is also available at local Intreo Centres, Social Welfare Branch Offices or Citizens Information Centres. Applications for the grant can be made from April each year until the end of December of the following year. For more information, visit the Citizen's Information page here.
