Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 224

Interpretation

Section 224 defines three key terms — "carer", "institution" and "relevant person" — used throughout the provisions on carer's support grant.

• A "carer" must be aged 16 or over, ordinarily resident in the State, and either in receipt of a qualifying care-related payment or providing (or likely to provide) full-time care and attention to a "relevant person".
• An "institution" covers hospitals, convalescent homes, nursing homes for dependent elderly people, homes for those with physical or mental disabilities, and any similar establishment providing residence, maintenance or care.
• A "relevant person" is someone ordinarily resident in the State who is so incapacitated as to need full-time care — meaning they require either continual supervision and frequent help with normal bodily functions, or continual supervision to avoid danger to themselves.
• The Minister may make regulations setting out the circumstances and conditions under which a person is regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person.