Vol. 551 No. 2
249 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if an annual respite grant is payable for children for whom the domiciliary care allowance is payable; the amount of this grant; when it was first introduced; the rate at which it was paid prior to March 2002; if this grant is paid on an equitable basis by each of the health boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9766/02]
In 1999, a respite care grant, RCG, of £200 was introduced for recipients of carer's allowance. In 2000, the RCG was increased to £300 and extended to recipients of domiciliary care allow ance, DCA. In 2001, the RCG was increased to £400 for one eligible person in a family and to £800 for two or more eligible persons in a family. The current rate of the RCG is €635 where there is one eligible person in a family or €1,270 where there are two or more eligible persons in a family. RCG is a once yearly payment which will be paid during the first week in June 2002. The RCG is automatically paid to all recipients of DCA without application being required. The health boards are responsible for paying the RCG to people in receipt of DCA only. The Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs is responsible for paying the RCG to recipients of carer's allowance and DCA and to those in receipt of carer's allowance only.
