Carers say government grant of €1,700 is worth about 3 days of respite care

Over 110 thousand carers will receive a grant of €1,700 today to help in providing full-time care.

The government scheme has been made available to those caring for an older person or someone with a disability. Johanna Powell from Wexford is one of those who'll be getting the payment today. She cares for her daughter who suffers from severe physical and mental disabilities - and says the grant alone isn't enough. Respite care is so expensive in Ireland now that Johanna says the money is only worth about 3 and a half days of care.