Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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686. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will reform the respite care grant to include those who are obliged by economic necessity to work outside the home in excess of 15 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42877/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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It is a condition for receipt of carer’s benefit and carer’s allowance and the carer’s support grant, that the carer must be providing full-time care and attention to a person who requires it because of a specified illness or disability. This condition is moderated by legislation allowing the carer to work or engage in training outside the home for an aggregate total of 15 hours per week. During this period of employment or education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person. These provisions achieve a reasonable balance between meeting the primary legislative requirement for providing full-time care for the care recipient and addressing the needs of the carers to engage in employment or education, thereby reducing any risk of social isolation experienced by carers.