We all want only the best for our loved ones. When the time comes and our relative is no longer able to take care of themselves, our first thought is usually to look for the most suitable solution for them. Taking away the comforts of home is never a good idea. However, it is not possible to go to work, take care of the children and be available for them 24 hours a day. That’s why it’s best to hire a live-in carer. It can be very expensive. But if you live in Ireland, the Government will certainly give you a helping hand.
What does Ireland offer to caregivers?
In many EU countries, there is either one option or on the other hand, vaguely defined rules and regulations on care funding. Ireland offers two options to choose from depending on your needs and exact working conditions. In addition, there is one additional grant that caregiver can receive.
Contribution to care
Contribution to care is a weekly social benefit. It can be claimed by caregivers looking after people who need support because of old age, illness or disability. To receive the allowance, caregiver´s income must be below a certain amount, which depends on a number of factors. Other conditions for obtaining the allowance are full-time care and not carrying out other activities that exceed 18.5 hours per week. The amount of the weekly allowance depends on the criteria set out in the table below.
| Care staff | Maximum weekly rate |
| Age up to 66 years, care for 1 person | 236 € |
| Age up to 66 years, care for 2 or more persons | 354 € |
| Age 66 and over and care for 1 person | 274 € |
| Age 66 and over and care for 2 persons | 411 € |
The patient or the person in need of care must require it on a full-time basis. They are persons who:
- need constant supervision as they could be of danger to others or themselves,
- need help with everyday activities such as getting up, walking, eating, drinking and personal hygiene,
- will probably need care for the next twelve months.
The time the caregiver must spend with the patient should be at least 35 hours per week within at least five days per week. The Department of Social Protection (DSP) makes the final decision on whether a person needs 24 hour care.
In case that the patient has to move to a nursing home or dies, the allowance can still be paid for the following twelve weeks.
Benefit for care
The benefit is paid to people who leave work or reduce their working hours to care for someone full-time. To qualify for this benefit, caregiver must have paid enough social security contributions. This means that the person has paid at least 156 contributions since started to work. A minimum of 39 contributions paid in the relevant tax year and in the last twelve months, as well as 26 contributions in the previous year, are also required. Contributions from the self-employed are not counted. On the other hand, it is possible to use social insurance from another EU country or the UK to meet the requirements for the benefit. However, last week’s social security contribution must be paid in Ireland.
| Caregiver | Maximum weekly rate |
| Care for 1 person | 237 € |
| Care for more than 1 person | 355,50 € |
Benefit on caregiving, as well as the allowance, applies to full-time caregiving and the caregiver cannot carry out activities other than other work or study for more than 18,5 hours per week. If the patient dies, the caregiver can continue to receive the allowance for six weeks after death.
Support Grant
The so-called Support Grant is paid once a year for each patient of the caregiver. In 2023, this amount reached €1 850 . It is paid automatically in June if caregiver applied for the care allowance or the benefit for caregiving. However, the carer must meet the criteria in order to receive it. Firstly, it is for ordinary Irish residents only (they pay taxes there). Second, care must be provided for at least six months and this period must include the first Thursday in June. During these six months, the caregiver must not spend more than 18.5 hours a week in other work, if any, or studying.
Now that you know how much the government in Ireland can help with the money for a caregiver, all that’s left to do is to find the right one. Given the critical shortage of caregivers in Ireland, this can be complicated.
Therefore, it is best to leave it to professionals. Based on your needs, we can find the right person for you. As we work almost all over Europe, the shortage of caregivers, especially in Ireland, is not a problem for us. And in case you are not convinced that hiring a caregiver from abroad is a good idea, hereyou can read all about the positives.
