(1) Subject to this Act, a payment shall, in the circumstances and subject to the conditions that may be prescribed, be made to a carer.

(2) A carer shall not be entitled to a payment under this section unless the carer is habitually resident in the State.

(3) Subject to subsection (5), the rate of payment under this section shall be calculated in accordance with section 181 (other than subparagraphs (i), (ia) and (ii) of subsection (1)).

(4) The amount payable under this section shall be half the amount calculated in accordance with subsection (3).

(5) Notwithstanding this section -

(a) only one payment under this section shall be made to a carer, and only one such payment shall be made in any week in respect of the full-time care and attention being provided to a relevant person,