An estimated 27,000 carers are set to benefit from increases in the respite care grant and other benefits which are due to come into force this month.
The changes, which include higher benefits and more flexible working arrangements, were announced yesterday by Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Séamus Brennan.
The changes, originally flagged in last December's budget, include:
* A rise in the annual respite care grant from €1,000 to €1,200, payable to all carers providing full-time care and attention to an older person or a person with disability regardless of their means.
* An increase in the number of hours which a person can work and still receive carer's allowance, carer's benefit or respite care grant from 10 to 15 hours per week.
* An extension to the duration of the carer's benefit from nine months to 24 months, which will benefit at least 200 current carers. The carer's employment rights will also be protected during this time through an amendment to the Carer's Leave Act, 2001.
Mr Brennan said carers made a "valued and valuable" contribution to society through their sacrifices, and that he wanted their work to be recognised through greater support.
"In this regard, a break from caring is one of the greatest needs identified by family carers. By increasing the respite care grant to €1,200 and significantly expanding it to include thousands more recipients, we are going some of the way towards giving carers a badly needed break and also recognition for their commitment and compassion," he said.
In the budget, the carers' allowance for those over 66 was increased by more than €30 to €200.
While groups such as Caring for Carers welcomed the budget increases, they say they remain an undervalued and invisible resource. An estimated 27,000 carers are in receipt of welfare allowances.
However, a number of lobby groups say that - based on census figures - there are in excess of 100,000 carers in the State. Many of these people do not have access to significant support, they say.
The Women's Health Council, meanwhile, has urged the government to consider providing "wage compensation" to anyone who gives up their job or reduces their working hours to care for others.