The annual respite care grant, which is available to all carers providing full-time care to an older person or a person with a disability, has been increased by €200 to €1,700 per annum.

This grant is paid automatically to carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit. The carers of children who receive Domiciliary Care Allowance also automatically receive it.

The Respite Care Grant Scheme was also extended in 2005 to include carers not in receipt of these payments.

According to the Department of Social and Family Affairs, which administers the grant, over 48,000 carers will benefit from the increase to €1,700.

The estimated cost of this scheme in 2008 is over €90 million.

"If carers are providing full-time care for more than one person, they may be entitled to €1,700 in respect of each person that they are caring for. For example, a person giving full-time care to two people with disabilities will be entitled to €3,400,” the department said.

Another feature of this particular grant is that the carer may spend the money any way they want.

For more information on this grant, contact the department on 1890 66 22 44, Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm.