David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

I sincerely thank the Minister for following up on this issue but I urge him to do more. How many of the 300 full-time carers aged between 15 and 17 are in receipt of the respite care grant, given that they are eligible for the grant when they turn 16? The Minister said he would discuss this issue with the Minsters for Health and Children and Education and Science when I raised it on 9 February. Has he raised it with them and, if so, what was the outcome of those discussions? Has he examined the supports provided for young carers in other jurisdictions? In the UK, for instance, they are eligible for financial aid and while that is not the answer, at least they are getting support. Does the Minister agree virtually no support is provided to young carers in Ireland? Young carers are provided with great support in Australia.

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