More than €132 million available to pay Respite Care Grants to full-time carers this year
Over €780 million will be spent on schemes to support carers in 2012
The annual Respite Care Grant of €1,700 is paid to carers providing full-time care and attention to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. Approximately 77,000 carers will benefit from the grant in 2012; the majority of these carers will get the grant this week.
Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, said: “I have provided over €132 million for the Respite Care Grant which is paid to full-time carers in the first week in June each year. It helps carers to get some respite for themselves or for the person for whom they are caring. This year the amount of the grant is unchanged at €1,700 in respect of each care recipient.”
The Grant is paid automatically to carers in receipt of schemes, such as Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance. Other full time carers who are not eligible for these schemes may apply separately for the grant which is not means tested.
Minister Burton continued: “Carers who are providing full-time care for more than one person may be entitled to €1,700 in respect of each person that they are caring for. For example, a person giving full-time care to two people with disabilities may be entitled to €3,400.”
“This year my Department is providing more than €780 million in payments to support carers through the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Respite Care Grant schemes.”
The rate of Carer’s Allowance for carers over 66 years of age is €239.00 per week while the weekly rate of Carer’s Allowance for someone under 66 is €204.00. Recipients of Carer’s Allowance who live with the person they are caring for may also receive the Household Benefits package of schemes which includes the Electricity/Gas Allowance, Telephone Allowance and free TV Licence and all Carer’s Allowance recipients also get a Free Travel pass.
Editor’s Note:
Further information on the Respite Care Grant is available:
· at www.welfare.ie,
· from all Social Welfare Offices and
· at LoCall 1890 66 22 44 (from the Republic of Ireland only) 9.30 a.m.- to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday.