Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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1005. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number and amount of respite care grants paid in the recent weeks; if the amount has increased in comparison to the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11126/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by my Department. The annual grant of €1,700 is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, regardless of their means or social insurance contributions. It is not means tested and is assessed on the level of care being provided by the carer.

On 4 June 2020, 125,000 grants were paid carers receiving the Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance and to other full-time carers who are not receiving any of these payments.  The estimated expenditure on the Carer’s Support Grant this year is €237.32 million.

In 2019 my Department made payments of over 129,000 Carer’s Support Grants totaling €219.54 million, in 2018 payments almost 120,000 grants were paid to carer's totaling €203.96 million and in 2017 over 113,000 grants were paid to carers totaling €192.92 million.

Although the number of grants paid for 2020 is less than 2019, it only includes grants paid up to and including 4th June 2020. It is expected further applications will be received before the closing date. Applications for the 2020 grant can be submitted up until 31 December, 2021.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.