Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I welcome this change and the restoration of the grant to €1,700 from €1,375. I am well aware of the importance of the respite grant. My mother was ill for a long time and my brothers cared for her at home. The respite grant paid for the items that were extra requirements in addition to minding somebody who was very ill. It could be an item such as a clothes dryer. If somebody is incontinent, having a clothes dryer means one can dry their clothes. It was important to have that grant available so people could use it for other items and functions, particularly for people are very ill.

This refers back to the issue of trying to spread what we have and to give everybody a little. The decision to restore the extra money to the carer's support grant is very important. For many families it is not about the money. It certainly was not about money in our family when it came to minding my mother. It was about the fact that we wanted to keep her at home and to give her as much support as she needed in the final years of her life, and being able to support her and my brothers so she could have the comforts of her own home. It is a hugely important grant. In the past, when the money was not available, it was difficult when some of the benefit was taken away. Now it has been restored and, hopefully, in the future we can give greater acknowledgement to people who provide care and support 24 hours a day, seven days a week for 365 days of the year to family members at home, particularly when they are very ill.

The Minister has restored the money that was withdrawn previously and that is very important.