Written answers
Thursday, 13 December 2012
Department of Social Protection
Respite Care Grants
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of the respite care grant and the percentage of recipients who are not in receipt of the carer's allowance, that is the number of persons who exceed the income limit for carer's allowance but who receive respite care grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56089/12]
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The respite care grant (RCG) is an annual payment made automatically to people in receipt of carer’s allowance, carer’s benefit, or domiciliary care allowance from my Department. Other people who are not in receipt of one of these payments, but who are providing full time care and attention can also apply for the grant via separate application. The total number of persons in receipt of respite care grant at end November 2012 is approximately 70,000.
The percentage of persons in receipt of RCG, who are not in receipt of a primary scheme, is 7%. The numbers of RCG, by scheme, who received the grant in 2012 are shown in Table 1.
Carer’s Allowance | Carer’s Benefit | Domiciliary Care Allowance | Standalone RCG | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|
38,000 * | 1,000 | 26,000 | 5,000 | 70,000 |
The Government had to make very difficult decisions in the course of Budget 2013. In order to protect core weekly payments which people receive such as pensions, disability and carer’s allowance we had to look very carefully at other additional payment such as the respite care grant.
As part of Budget 2013, the respite care grant is being reduced by €325 to €1,375 per annum. I am aware that this reduction in the grant is significant and has implications for carers and their families; however, given the enormous pressures on the expenditure of my Department, I am not in a position to reverse this decision.
No comments