Financial Supports & Health Services
Child Benefit
Child Benefit is payable to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Find out more and check if you are eligible via the Citizen’s Information website
Job Seeker Allowance
If you are unemployed, you may be paid either Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA) or Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB). Both payments are paid by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). Are you 18–24-year-olds? Visit Information for younger jobseekers. If you are 24+ year olds, visit the Jobseeker’s Allowance section.
Medical Cards
A Medical Card allows you to access Family Doctor or GP services, community health services, dental services, prescription medicine costs, hospital care and a range of other benefits free of charge. You can learn more about this and check if you are eligible via the Citizen’s Information website.
Rental Supports
There are rent supports available to people who may be struggling to pay their rent. These include: Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment for people living in private rented accommodation and the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), a social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need.
Health
General practitioners (GPs) are family doctors. GPs treat common medical conditions. They refer people to hospitals and medical services for other urgent or specialist treatment.
Find a GP or Find your local Health Centres.
Emergency Departments
There are currently 29 Emergency Departments in Ireland. They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Find an Emergency Department or learn more about when to go to an Emergency Department.