There’s good news for the 6,382 carers across the county who will now receive an annual payment of €1,832 from the State.

The Carers Support Payment is in recognition of the incredible work they do – but also to allow some extra assistance and respite.

Senator Aisling Dolan welcomed the news – and praised the extraordinary work that carers do.

“We have over 6,300 carers in County Galway who ensure people can live at home with assistance close to loved ones and in their own towns and villages where they may have lived all their lives,” she said.

“Carers work is extremely demanding especially if looking after someone who is up frequently at night-time as well as during the day.

“Carers may have a strong family network where extra support can help at weekends or they may be managing on their own. It is important that carers can look after their own health and take a break,” she added.

Carers will automatically qualify for the Carer’s Support Grant if they are already in receipt of the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance.

But even if they are not getting any of these payments, they may still qualify if they are 16 or over; ordinarily reside in the Irish State, and care for the person full-time.

“You have been caring for the person for a continuous period of at least six months, and this period includes the first Thursday in June,” said Senator Dolan.

“You must also live with the person you are caring for or you are contactable quickly by a direct system of communication such as a telephone or an alarm,” she added.

You do not qualify for Carer’s Support Grant if you are working, self-employed, or on a training or education course for more than 18.5 hours a week; in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit; signing on for credited contributions, or living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution.

The allowance is part of a €260 million payment to over 125,000 carers nationally – and the recent Census results show that number is on the rise with more people living longer.

“It is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions,” explained Senator Dolan.

“There are close to 14,000 carers who are providing care for two or more people, and they will receive a grant in respect of each person they are caring for.

“A lot of this work can be unseen as it happens in the home however carers do so much to help people live at home in their own town or village and to keep up with meeting friends, neighbours and their daily routine,” she added.