I propose to take Questions Nos. 1339 and 1340 together.
Supporting and recognising carers in our society is, and has been, a priority of the Government since 1997. Over that period, weekly payment rates to carers have greatly increased, qualifying conditions for carer's allowance have significantly eased, coverage of the scheme has been extended and new schemes such as carer's benefit and the respite care grant have been introduced and extended.
From June 2005, the annual respite care grant was extended to all carers who are providing full-time care to a person who needs such care, regardless of their income. A carer who is caring for two or more people is entitled to a full grant for each of the care recipients. The rate of the grant increased to €1,700 per year from June 2008.
In order to qualify for the respite care grant, the applicant must be providing, or likely to provide, full-time care and attention to a person who needs such care for a period of six months and be providing that care on the specified date in June of the relevant year. There are no provisions to allow for payment of a partial grant where a person provides care for part of the year, excluding the June date. Unfortunately, the person concerned did not satisfy the condition regarding the payment date and, therefore, no respite care grant is payable in this case. While, all payments to carers will continue to be kept under review there are no plans at present to introduce a pro rata respite care grant.