Source: The Australian [Patricia Karvelas, Political correspondent]

YOUNG people who care for their sick and disabled parents will receive a $27 million boost from the Rudd Government to help with respite from their responsibilities.

Family and Community Services Minister Jenny Macklin said the boost would help about 6000 carers who were kids struggling to get through school and work and attend to their parents’ needs.

Around $7 million will go specifically to an existing program that allows carers up to the age of 25 with access to in-home respite care to attend education, training and recreational activities.

It essentially pays to help them do the extra things they cannot do because of the family’s limited income and their caring responsibilities.

Ms Macklin said the funding would help young carers who are some of the people to help an estimated 600,000 Australians with severe or profound disability.

More than 170,000 young carers are under the age of 18 and among these the average age is 12 to 13.

Copyright News Limited – used with permission