Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 181

Rate of allowance

Section 181 sets out how the weekly rate of carer's allowance is calculated, including the basic rate, increases for dependants and age, and how the means test reduces the payment.

• The basic weekly rate is €405.00 for carers looking after more than one person, or €270.00 for those caring for one person.
• Additional amounts of €58.00 per child under 12 and €78.00 per child aged 12 or over are payable for qualified children living with the carer.
• Further increases of €10.00 apply where the carer has reached age 80, and €20.00 (plus €57.00 or €38.00) where the carer has reached pensionable age and lives on an island.
• The allowance is means-tested and reduces by €2.50 for every €2.50 of weekly means above €7.60, with no payment if the resulting rate falls below €2.50.