The Minister for Community Development, Natural Resources, and Digital Development, Seán Kyne, has said that the GP visit cards and extra funding for respite care will help carers and people with disabilities in Galway.
The new measures will see all carers in receipt of carer’s allowance qualify for a GP visit card while an extra €10 million in funding will provide more respite care for people with disabilities.
Minister Kyne said; “These very welcome measures are in addition to funding already allocated and will help carers as well as people with disabilities.
“Carers provide exceptionally important support for family members, neighbours, or friends and it is vital that such support is recognised and valued.
“Carers also require support and I am delighted that my colleague, Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has been able to allocate additional funding to improve respite care services and to ensure that all carers can access GP services without charge.
“In addition to the issuing of GP visit cards to carers in receipt of carer’s allowance, funding has been made available of €8 million for a dozen new dedicated respite homes around the country, including one in the Community Health Organisation area for Galway, which will provide 19,000 extra respite nights per year.
“A further €2 million will fund new respite options such as home sharing and extended day services to help carers and the people whom they care for.
