A €300 government top-up to the annual respite care grant is welcome but not enough, the Carers Association of Ireland said today.
The Department of Social and Family Affairs announced the yearly allowance would be increased from €1,200 euro to €1,500 from this month, as outlined in the 2007 Budget.
The grant is designed to allow full-time carers the financial security to organise a break from their duties.
Around 40,000 carers will benefit from the extra funding at an estimated total cost to the state of €12.9 million.
"It's welcome but it's not gone up as far as we were looking for," said Catherine Cox of the Carers Association.
"We wanted it to go up to €2,880 so that carers could take a minimum of 20 days holiday a year, in line with the rest of the workforce."
The grant will be paid automatically to carers in receipt of schemes such as Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit and Domiciliary Care allowance.
Minister for Social Affairs Seamus Brennan said carers made sacrifices which should be recognised.
"By increasing the Respite Care Grant to €1,500 euro we are going some of the way towards giving carers a badly needed break and also recognition for their commitment and compassion," he said.