THE Government and councils have to realise carers need more than six hours a month respite, otherwise there will be a greater cost to the state.

Yes we are in difficult financial times but giving such little help to parents and carers will only drive them in to putting their charges into fulltime care.

The cost to society will be two-fold.

Families will be divided and the state will pick up a bigger bill.

There is no magic answer, but councils and the Government must start looking for some way to help these under-pressure carers.