Vol. 546 No. 4
98 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a special arrangement allowing persons who would normally have to be hospitalised for respite care to be given the option of a respite grant in order that they can be cared for in their own homes. [32148/01]
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs pays an annual respite grant to recipients of the carer's allowance. However, I accept that some degree of respite should be afforded to all full-time informal carers and there is a commitment in the recently-launched health strategy to provide a grant covering two weeks' respite care per annum for dependent older persons. Moreover, there is also a commitment in the strategy to reform the operation of existing schemes in order to introduce an integrated care subvention scheme which maximises support for home care.
My Department has, in recent years, been impressing on health boards the need to provide a greater number of respite beds and places and I am glad to note that a gradual improvement in this regard is occurring.
