Carers Entitlements

Home Support Service

Home Care Package Scheme: The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the delivery of public health community and home care supports at local level, including the Home Care Package scheme. What is the Home Care Package scheme? The Home Care Package (HCP) scheme is an administrative scheme, operated by

Going Abroad or on Holidays and Social Welfare Payments

Going Abroad or on Holidays and Social Welfare Payments: You can get certain Irish social welfare payments and live in another country. You can also continue to get certain social welfare payments if you are on holiday abroad for a specific period of time or if you are getting medical

Tax Relief on Nursing Home Fees and for Dependent Relatives

Tax Relief on Nursing Home Fees: Income tax relief is available on fees paid for nursing homes. You claim tax relief for nursing home fees under the general scheme for tax relief on medical expenses. Tax relief on nursing home fees applies at the highest rate of income tax that you pay.

The Homemaker’s Scheme

The Homemaker’s Scheme: The Homemaker’s Scheme makes it easier for a homemaker to qualify for the State Pension (Contributory). A homemaker, for the purposes of the Homemaker’s Scheme (which was introduced from 6 April 1994), is a man or woman who provides full-time care for a child under age 12 or

Half-Rate Carer’s Allowance

Half-Rate Carer’s Allowance: If you are getting certain social welfare payments and you are providing full-time care and attention to another person, you can keep your main social welfare payment and get a half-rate Carer’s Allowance as well. If you are in one of the following situations you may qualify

Fuel Allowance

Fuel Allowance: A Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs.

Carer’s Leave

The Carer’s Leave Act 2001:  The Carer’s Leave Act 2001 allows employees to leave their employment temporarily to provide full-time care for someone in need of full-time care and attention. You are entitled to take carer’s leave of at least 13 weeks up to a maximum of 104 weeks. If you ask to

Carers Allowance

Carers Allowance: Carer’s Allowance is a payment to people on low incomes who are looking after a person who needs support because of age, disability or illness (including mental illness). If you qualify for Carer’s Allowance you may also qualify for free household benefits (if you are living with the person you