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Carer's leave and benefit

Carer’s Leave and Carer’s Benefit

What is Carer’s Leave?

The Carer’s Leave Act 2001 allows employees in Ireland to leave their employment temporarily in order to look after someone in need of full-time care. The leave is unpaid but you are entitled to have your job kept open for you for the duration of the leave. You may also be entitled to receive the Carer’s Benefit; this will be assessed by the Department of Social and Family Affairs when you apply for Leave.

The person you will be caring for does not need to be a family member or spouse, they could be a friend, colleague etc. The person you propose to care for must be deemed to be in need of full-time care and attention by a deciding officer of the Department of Social and Family Affairs, based on information provided by the person’s GP. This means that they must be in need of continuous supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day.

You can only apply for Carer’s leave if you meet certain conditions, for example, you must have worked continuously for 12 months with your employer.

How much leave am I entitled to?

The maximum period of leave you are allowed to take is 104 weeks, with a minimum period of 13 weeks (before 24th March 2006, the maximum was 65 weeks).

This leave can be taken as a continuous block of 104 weeks, or as blocks of shorter periods; however, your employer may refuse (on reasonable grounds) to allow you to take a period of Carer’s Leave which is less than 13 weeks in duration. When carer’s leave is taken in a number of blocks, there must be a gap of at least six weeks between periods.

Will I be paid during Carer’s Leave?

Carer’s Leave is unpaid. However, you may work for up to 15 hours per week, earning a maximum of €290 per week while on Carer’s Leave. You may also be eligible for Carer’s Benefit.

What is Carer’s Benefit?

Carer’s Benefit is a payment made to insured persons in Ireland, who leave the workforce in order to look after a person in need of full-time care and attention. Carer’s Benefit is a separate scheme from Carer’s Allowance, which is a means-tested payment for carers on low income.

You must meet certain conditions, including certain PRSI contribution conditions, in order to be eligible for the Carer’s Benefit.

Eligibility for Carer’s Benefit does not affect your right to take Carer’s Leave.

How much Carer’s Benefit will I receive?

As from January 2006, the maximum weekly rates are €180.70 for caring for 1 person and €271.10 for caring for 2 people or more. You can also claim increases for qualified child(ren).

The payment is made weekly either as a direct payment into your bank account, or by a book of payable orders which can be cashed each week at a Post Office chosen by you.

Carers receiving the Carer’s Benefit are also automatically entitled to a Respite Care Grant of €1,200 per year to pay for respite care when they need a holiday or break from the duties of caring. This is automatically paid in June of each year.

How do I apply for Carer’s Leave and Benefit?

You must complete an application form for Carer’s Benefit, both to apply for Carer’s Leave and to assess your eligibility for Carer’s Benefit. The GP of the person you propose to care for and your employer must complete parts of the application form. The completed form must be sent to the Carer’s Benefit Section of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

You must make a formal application for leave to your employer not less than six weeks before you propose to take the leave. In exceptional or emergency situations when this is not possible, you should give notice as soon as is reasonably possible.

Where can I get more information?

Contact the Carer’s Benefit Section of the Department of Social and Family Affairs on Tel: (043) 45211 or (01) 8748444.

Reviewed: September 26, 2006


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