Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy published a document on this issue recently, which I will continue to examine. I pointed out the last time we discussed this matter that we need to be careful. The figures indicate 300 carers are aged between 15 and 17, none of whom is in receipt of the carer's allowance because one must be 18 years to be eligible. However, eligibility for the respite care grant was fixed at 16 years to be helpful. I do not know what proportion of the 300 full-time carers are aged under 16 but perhaps it could be 50%. A third to a half of those would get the respite grant.

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