Respite Care

Information

Respite care may involve providing alternative family or institutional care for a person with a disability in order to enable the carer to take a short break, a holiday or a rest. It can cover very short-term respite, for example, a "babysitter" for an evening, or a much longer arrangement for a holiday. Schemes of respite care are sometimes called 'Breakaway' or 'Friendship' schemes.

Respite care or temporary care in Ireland may be based in the community or in an institution. In practice, respite care is provided to a varying degree at a number of locations around the country - in some cases by your Health Service Executive (HSE) Area and in others by voluntary organisations.

Care is provided at a number of locations around the country for people with different disabilities. The person being cared for may be admitted to a Health Service Executive (HSE) (public) nursing home for a period of two weeks. Respite care is organised through your public health nurse or family doctor (GP). Alternative care with a family is sometimes available for children with disabilities, whereas institutional care is usually provided for older people. Sometimes, summer camp arrangements can be made for children with disabilities. These are funded by local HSE Areas at no cost to individuals.

The Respite Care Grant is an annual cash payment made by the Department of Social Protection to certain carers for use as they wish.

Rules

The Department of Social Protection pays a Respite Care Grant in June of each year to certain carers. it is automatically paid by to those getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance.

If you are not receiving one of the payments, you must be:

• Aged 16 or over
• Ordinarily resident in the State
• Caring for the person on a full-time basis
• Have been or be likely to care for the person for at least six months. This period of care must include the first Thursday in June
• Living with the person being cared for or, if not, be contactable quickly by a direct system of communication e.g. telephone or alarm

You do not qualify if you are working or participating in training or education courses for more than 15 hours per week outside the home, if you are getting an unemployment payment or if you are signing on for unemployment credits. You also do not qualify if you are living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution.

If you are caring for more than one person a grant is paid for each of them.

Rates

The Respite Care Grant is currently €1,700 and is paid in respect of each person you are caring for. It is not taxable.

If you are getting a Domiciliary Care Allowance payment from the HSE and not getting a payment from the Department of Social Protection, your Respite Care Grant will be paid by the HSE.

All other Respite Care Grants are paid by the Department of Social Protection.

How to apply

Respite Care Grant

If you are getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relative's Allowance you do not need to apply for the Respite Care Grant. It will be paid to you automatically in June each year.

If you are not getting one of those payments, you should download and complete form RCG 1 (pdf). If you are caring for more than two people you must complete an RCG 1(a) form (pdf) in respect of each additional person and attach it to your completed RCG 1 form.

Respite care

Apply to the Disability Services Manager in your Local Health Office and/or to a voluntary organisation that caters for people with the relevant disability.

Where to apply

You can obtain a Respite Care Grant application form, from your local Social Welfare Office or Citizens Information Centre. Application forms are also available from the Department of Social Protection leaflet request telephone line. Locall 1890 20 23 25