Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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106. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will propose an amendment to the Social Welfare Bill 2014 to provide for an increase of €325 in the respite care grant. [41663/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The respite care grant (RCG) is an annual non means-tested payment made to all carers who provide full time care and attention to others and forms part of a range of carer supports provided by the Department. Over €822 million is being provided next year for these direct supports, up nearly €17 million from that provided for in 2014. In 2014, more than 80,000 carers benefited from the respite care grant at an estimated cost of €122 million.

While I was not in a position to provide for an increase in the respite care grant in this Budget, I did announce a number of welfare initiatives which will benefit carers, pensioners, and people with disabilities who are in receipt of a welfare payment.

These initiatives included the re-introduction of a Christmas Bonus, an increase in Child Benefit, an increase in the Living Alone Allowance and support for welfare recipients with the cost of water services.

The Christmas Bonus was abolished by the previous Government in 2009. I am pleased to say that I am in a position to partially restore the Bonus this year. A bonus of 25% will be paid in early December to all long-term welfare recipients including all pensioners and carers. This is in recognition of the position of vulnerable households and it is important to note that recipients of half-rate carer’s allowance will also get a bonus.

Carers with children will benefit from the increase in child benefit. There will be an increase in the living alone allowance of €1.30 per week from January, bringing the rate up from €7.70 to €9 for pensioners and people with disabilities. The living alone allowance was last increased in 1996.

In line with the Government’s Statement of Priorities, I have introduced a water support payment of €100 to recipients of the Household Benefit Package, to help older people and other vulnerable groups meet the cost of water services.

As well as the measures mentioned above, all existing welfare payments and supports for carers, pensioners and people with disabilities will be maintained in 2015 – there will be no reductions. The measures I announced in the Budget are the first steps in strengthening the safety net for all those who need it.