Brennan to announce more money for full-time carers

Seamus Brennan is today announcing that he will increase the respite-care grant for full-time carers of the elderly to the tune of €35m.

The Minister for Social Affairs is increasing the grant for each carer by €200 annually.

He is also introducing extended benefits.

One of these means full-time carers can be employed for 15 hours a week instead of 10 and still qualify for the grant.

About 27,000 people will benefit from the new entitlements.