Vol. 519 No. 5
206 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the crisis situation that exists in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo in relation to respite care allowance; if he will intervene on his behalf in view of the circumstances outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14335/00]
The individual case referred to by the Deputy concerns the eligibility criteria for payment of the respite care grant. Respite care is one of the most important services required by carers. In recognition of the importance of respite care for carers, the 1999 budget introduced a new annual payment of £200 for recipients of carer's allowance. This respite care grant was increased to £300 in budget 2000 and extended to recipients of domiciliary care allowance.
Domiciliary care allowance is administered by the health boards on behalf of my Department and is available to eligible children under 16 years of age. Unfortunately it is not possible for my Department to authorise payment of the respite care grant in this case as the person referred to by the Deputy exceeds the age criteria for domiciliary care allowance.
From the information available to me it is not clear whether the person referred to by the Deputy has made an application to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs for assistance. The determination of the eligibility criteria for carer's allowance is a matter for the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and I am forwarding details of this case to that Department for appropriate attention.
