Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk announced in Parliament a funding boost of $5.5 million to provide hundreds of Queensland carers of people with a disability with extra respite care and support options.

Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk and State Member for Pine Rivers Carolyn Male welcomed the funding which is to be shared between 10 respite services operating in 17 locations across Queensland.

Carolyn Male today said the $715,000 investment was well directed towards the Endeavour Foundation to deliver more respite services in Lawnton.

“I am delighted that people with a disability living in the Lawnton area will be given greater respite options through this joint Bligh and Rudd Government funding initiative,” Carolyn Male said.

Disability Services Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the joint initiative between the Bligh and Federal Government was part of a $5.5 million commitment to provide more respite options for people with a disability.

“The joint funding will assist almost 828 people with a disability to access respite services throughout Queensland.”

“Caring for a family member with a disability can be a full-time job which puts extra stresses and strains on individuals, couples and families.”

“Carers of people with a disability make an extraordinary contribution to the community and by funding these respite services we are helping them to keep their families together and sustain their long-term in-home caring relationships.

“This ongoing annual funding follows a Federal election commitment to transfer the responsibility for respite services funded under the Disability Assistance Package to the states and territories,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Minister Palaszczuk said the Bligh Government’s Toward Q2 strategy is delivering fairer communities - ones which provide people with a disability with a greater range of accommodation options,” Minister Palaszczuk said.