Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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47. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide the criteria for entitlement to respite care grant persons who are not in receipt of carer’s allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4245/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Respite Care Grant (RCG) is paid automatically in June of each year (usually on the first Thursday of the month), to carers getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance from the Department.

A person who is not in receipt of any of the above payments but carrying out caring duties may qualify for payment of the grant if s/he is over 16, ordinarily resident in the State, caring for a person for at least six months (to include the first Thursday in June,) and living with the person being cared for (or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication.)

However, where a person is living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution, or is working more than 15 hours per week outside the home, taking part in an education or training course for more than 15 hours a week, or is in receipt of a jobseeker's payment or signing on for jobseeker credits, s/he will not qualify for RCG.