BUDGET 2016: Carers are ‘only given back what was taken’

Respite care grant and 75% of welfare Christmas bonus restored

Restoration was the main theme of the social protection budget with two of the main measures highlighted by Joan Burton bringing payments back to previous levels rather than breaking new ground.

The hugely unpopular 20% cut to the respite care grant in 2012, which cost carers around €350 a year, is being restored to its previous level of €1,700 from next year.