Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2015
37. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if the respite grant or a relevant portion of it will issue in June 2015 to carers who had been caring for persons until the end of March 2015 in cases where the persons they had been caring for are now in residential facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15929/15]
View answerThe respite care grant (RCG) is paid automatically in June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), to carers in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit, domiciliary care allowance or prescribed relative's allowance from the Department. It is paid on a full basis to all eligible.
Where a person is not in receipt of any of the above payments but is carrying out caring duties, s/he may qualify for payment of the grant if s/he is over 16, is ordinarily resident in the State, is caring for a person for at least six months (to include the first Thursday in June,) and is living with the person being cared for (or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication.)
Where a carer’s role has come to an end and the recipient of care is living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution the carer will not qualify for RCG.
