Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 409: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be approved and granted the respite care grant. [20882/06]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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Prior to Budget 2005, the Respite Care Grant was payable by my Department to recipients of Carers Benefit and Carers Allowance. The grant is paid automatically with their primary payment.

Budget 2005 extended entitlement to the Grant to all full-time carers irrespective of means or contribution record but subject to certain conditions relating, notably, to employment. To date some 7,300 people have received the Grant in respect of 2005. Applications for the 2006 grant have been received from people who received the grant in 2005 and these are being processed in my Department.

The person to whom the Deputy refers has been refused Carers Allowance on the basis that he is not providing full-time care and attention. That decision is currently being appealed. Separately his application for the Respite Care Grant, is being examined with particular regard to the extent of care being provided. A decision will issue in the near future once the examination has been completed.