TrustedCarers Guide
If you’re looking after an elderly parent or loved one in Ireland, navigating the available financial support can feel overwhelming. The good news is that the Irish government provides substantial help — from grants to improve the family home, to funding for nursing home care, to allowances for family carers. This guide brings it all together in one place.
At TrustedCarers.ie, we connect families across Ireland with verified, experienced home carers. We also believe in helping families understand every support available to them — so here’s a comprehensive breakdown of what’s on offer in 2025/2026.
Budget 2026: Record Investment in Older Persons Services.
The government has committed over €3 billion to older persons services in 2026 — the largest budget ever allocated to this area, representing more than a 7% increase on 2025. This includes €82 million in additional home support funding and €92 million for the Fair Deal nursing home scheme. For families planning care, this is a positive signal that services are expanding.
1. HSE Home Support Hours
What it is: The HSE funds home support hours to help older people remain living independently in their own homes. Support can include personal care, domestic assistance, and health-related tasks.
Who it’s for: Older people who need help at home but don’t require full-time residential care.
How to apply: Referrals are made through your GP or your local HSE office. A public health nurse will assess your needs.
2026 update: The government has ringfenced at least 22% of all new home support hours specifically for people with dementia, with a total of 26.7 million hours available nationally.
Tip: HSE home support hours are often limited and waiting lists can be long. Many families supplement HSE-funded hours with a private home carer. TrustedCarers.ie can help you find a vetted, experienced carer in your area.
2. Housing Aid for Older People Grant
What it is: A grant to help elderly homeowners carry out essential repairs or improvements, enabling them to stay in their own home safely.
Eligible works include:
- Roof repairs or replacement
- Electrical rewiring
- Heating system repairs or replacement
- Window and door replacement (limited — mainly end-of-life single-glazed units)
How much: Up to €10,700 (or 100% of the cost of works). The full amount is available to households with annual income under €37,500. This reduces on a sliding scale, down to 30% for incomes between €62,501 and €75,000.
Important note (from January 2025): The grant no longer covers the installation of new fossil fuel boilers (oil or gas). Repairs to existing systems are still covered.
How to apply: Contact your local authority. Download the application form from gov.ie or your local council’s website.
3. Mobility Aids Grant (MAG)
What it is: A grant to fund mobility and accessibility adaptations in the home.
Eligible items include:
- Grab rails
- Access ramps
- Walk-in showers
- Stairlifts
How to apply: Through your local authority using the same Housing Adaptation Grant application form.
Important: The process can take up to 9 months, so this is not suitable for urgent situations. If you need immediate support, a private home carer from TrustedCarers.ie can assist while the grant is being processed.
4. Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability
What it is: A broader adaptation grant for people with physical, sensory, mental health, or intellectual disabilities — including older people with age-related conditions.
How to apply: Use the same combined application form as the other housing grants, available from your local authority.
In 2025, the Housing Adaptations Grant schemes collectively issued approximately €117 million to Irish households — a significant national investment in independent living.
5. The Fair Deal Scheme (Nursing Homes Support Scheme)
For older people who require long-term residential care, the Fair Deal Scheme is the primary government support.
How it works: You pay a contribution towards your nursing home fees, and the HSE pays the remainder. It applies to public, voluntary, and private approved nursing homes.
What you contribute:
- 80% of your assessable income per week
- 7.5% per year of the value of your assets (savings, property, land)
Key protections:
- The first €36,000 of your assets is exempt from assessment (€72,000 for couples)
- Your home is only assessed for the first 3 years in care — after that it’s excluded, capping what you pay at a maximum of 22.5% of your home’s value
- You always retain a personal allowance of at least 20% of your income
- If a spouse remains at home, they keep at least 50% of the couple’s combined income
The Nursing Home Loan: If you own property but don’t want to sell, you can apply for an optional loan where the HSE pays your property-based contribution directly to the nursing home, and it’s recouped from your estate after death.
How to apply: Complete the Nursing Homes Support Scheme application form and submit it to your Local Nursing Homes Support Office. A care needs assessment must first confirm that long-term nursing home care is the appropriate option.
6. Carer’s Allowance & Carer’s Benefit
If a family member is providing full-time care for an elderly person at home, they may be entitled to financial support.
Carer’s Allowance is a means-tested weekly payment from the Department of Social Protection for people who are caring full-time for someone who needs regular ongoing care.
Carer’s Benefit is available to people who leave work (or reduce their hours) to care for someone in need of full-time care.
Carer’s Support Grant: An annual cash payment (paid each June) to people receiving Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit. It can be used flexibly — including to fund respite care or to pay a private home carer from a platform like TrustedCarers.ie.
How to apply: Through your local Department of Social Protection office or online at mywelfare.ie.
7. The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme
What it is: A free, nationally-rolled-out programme coordinated by Local Authorities. A Local Coordinator visits the older person’s home and carries out a holistic assessment across six areas:
- Health
- Housing
- Social and community supports
- Assistive technologies
- Climate (home energy)
- Finance
They then create a personalised action plan to help the person remain at home safely and independently.
Who can refer: The older person themselves, a family member, a GP, or any community member.
How to access: Contact your local authority’s Age Friendly coordinator, or visit agefriendlyireland.ie.
This programme has been cited by the World Health Organisation as a best practice example of person-centred integrated care for older people.
8. Other Entitlements Worth Knowing
| Support | Detail |
|---|---|
| Free Travel Pass | All people aged 66+ in Ireland travel free on bus, train, and DART |
| Medical Card | Covers GP visits, medications, and some home nursing — apply through the HSE |
| Additional Needs Payment | One-off payments for exceptional costs (e.g. fuel bills, funeral costs) for those on low incomes |
| Dementia Supports | €2.3 million in additional 2026 funding for memory services, dementia advisers, and day care |
| Meals on Wheels | Expanded in 2026 with a 30%+ funding increase; delivered by HSE-funded community services |
Finding the Right Care with TrustedCarers.ie
Government grants and supports are an important piece of the puzzle — but finding the right person to provide day-to-day care is what truly makes the difference for older people and their families.
TrustedCarers.ie is Ireland’s dedicated care marketplace, connecting families in Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, and across the country with verified, experienced carers for:
- Home care & personal care
- Elderly companionship
- Dementia & Alzheimer’s care
- Respite care (great for using your Carer’s Support Grant)
- Post-hospital recovery care
- Live-in care
All carers on our platform are vetted, and families can browse profiles, read reviews, and connect directly. Whether you need a few hours a week or full-time support, we make it straightforward.
Find a carer near you at TrustedCarers.ie
Key Contacts & Resources
- HSE Home Support: hse.ie or your local HSE health centre
- Citizens Information: citizensinformation.ie — comprehensive, plain-English guides to every entitlement
- Fair Deal Applications: Your Local Nursing Homes Support Office (via hse.ie)
- Housing Grants: Your local city or county council
- Carer’s Allowance: mywelfare.ie or your local Intreo centre
- Age Friendly Ireland: agefriendlyireland.ie
- Alone (charity support for older people): alone.ie
- Alzheimer Society of Ireland: alzheimer.ie
This guide was last updated June 2026. Grant amounts and eligibility criteria can change — always verify current details with your local authority or Citizens Information before applying.
TrustedCarers.ie — Connecting Irish Families with Trusted Carers
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