Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge all of the work that carers do in Irish society. That is why the Government prioritises a range of supports for carers that are probably among the most extensive in Europe.

The number of people in receipt of the respite carer's allowance has increased significantly during this Government's time. The Deputy knows this, as we have often debated it. The number of families and children qualifying for the domiciliary care allowance has increased significantly. As well as getting the domiciliary care allowance of nearly €300 per month, many of those families also qualify - properly - for the carer's allowance for all of the work they do for their children with physical or intellectual special needs.

The number of grants has increased since a couple of years ago when we entered office, when under 80,000 people were getting the grant. There are now almost 90,000 people getting the respite care grant. The actual expenditure and number of people qualifying have expanded significantly.

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