Carers set for Budget cash boost

CARERS looking after relatives in their own homes are set to get a €50 million Budget boost later this year.

Officials are believed to be costing a €30 a week increase in the allowance — matching last year’s rise.

Some 27,000 people qualify for the carers’ allowance, while a further 7,000 people receive the respite grant on its own. Social Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan said yesterday the two schemes were costing €267m a year.