Terence Flanagan
Question:183. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to increasing the respite care grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7821/15]
View answerTuesday, 24 February 2015
Questions (183)
Written answers
The respite care grant (RCG) is an annual non means-tested payment made to all carers who provide full time care and attention to others and the grant forms part of a range of income supports for carers provided by the Department. Over €822 million is being provided this year for these direct supports, up nearly €17 million from that provided for in 2014. In 2014, more than 80,000 carers benefited from the respite care grant at an estimated cost of €122 million.
Any change to the rate of RCG can only be considered in the context of Budget preparations and I was not in a position to provide for an increase in the respite care grant in the 2015 Budget. However, I did announce a number of welfare initiatives which will benefit carers, pensioners, and people with disabilities who are in receipt of a welfare payment. These initiatives included the re-introduction of a Christmas Bonus, an increase in Child Benefit and an increase in the Living Alone Allowance.
The Christmas Bonus was abolished by the previous Government in 2009. I was in a position to partially restore the bonus last year. A bonus of 25% was paid in early December to all long-term welfare recipients including all pensioners and carers. This is in recognition of the position of vulnerable households. I should also point out that recipients of half-rate carer’s allowance also received a bonus.