Carer's Allowance
If you give up work to provide full-time care and attention to an incapacitated person and you get Carer's Allowance, you may qualify for credits while you get this payment. Credits are awarded at the same rate as your last paid PRSI contribution
Carer's Benefit
If you give up work to provide full-time care and attention to an incapacitated person and you get Carer's Benefit, you may qualify for credits while you get this payment. Credits are awarded at the same rate as your last paid PRSI contribution.
Carer's leave credits
If you take carer's leave (temporary unpaid leave from work to care for someone) but do not get Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance, you will qualify for carer's leave credits for each week of carer's leave up to a maximum of 104 weeks. This will make sure that your social insurance record remains unbroken.
When you return to work your employer should fill in an application form for carer's leave credits. You will get credits for the period of your carer’s leave and your social insurance record will be updated. For more information, log on to 'www.welfare.ie'.
For information on the Carer’s Leave Act, 2001, contact:
Workplace Relations Customer Service
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation
O’Brien Road
Carlow
LoCall: 1890 80 80 90 (from the Republic of Ireland only)
+353 59 91 78990 (from Northern Ireland or overseas)
Website: 'www.employmentrights.ie'
Note The rates charged for using 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers.