Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the steps she proposes to take to improve eligibility for respite grants with particular reference to easing the guidelines having particular regard to the high level of refusals on medical and income grounds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41028/09]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The respite care grant is an annual payment for carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. One respite care grant per year may be paid in respect of each person for whom the carer is providing full time care and attention. In June 2008 the grant was increased from €1,500 to €1,700 per year in respect of each care recipient. In order to qualify for the grant the person being cared for must need full time care and attention for at least 6 months.

The grant is paid automatically to those in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit or domiciliary care allowance on the first Thursday in June. Other people providing full-time care who do not meet the criteria for these schemes can apply to the Department for a grant each year. From June 2005, the respite care grant was extended to all carers, regardless of their income, who are providing full-time care to a person who needs such care. This arrangement was introduced to acknowledge the needs of carers, especially in relation to respite.

The refusal rate for respite care grant for those who are not in receipt of a qualifying payment is approximately 15%. There are a number of reasons why an application for the respite care grant might be refused: the medical referee is not satisfied that the care recipient requires full-time care and attention; the full-time care and attention is not being provided by the applicant; the person applying for the grant has already received it, as they are in receipt of carer's allowance, carer's benefit or domiciliary care allowance. The Deputy should be aware that an applicant cannot be refused on the basis of income.

I am satisfied that the current guidelines governing the respite care grant ensure that the resources available for the scheme are targeted at those most in need. I have no plans to review the eligibility criteria for the respite care grant at this time.