andMr. T.J. Fitzpatrick (Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Health the percentage by which the domiciliary care allowances payable by the health boards to parents of handicapped children have increased since they were introduced; and the percentage by which incomes generally have increased in the same period.
Written Answers. - Domiciliary Care Allowances.
177.
The rate of the allowance was not increased from the original rate of £25 per month, fixed when it was introduced in October 1973, until April 1978, when it was increased by 40 per cent to £35 per month. It will be further increased by 28 per cent in April next to £45 a month. The total increase was 80 per cent since the allowance was introduced. National income per head of population is estimated to have increased by 156 per cent between 1973 and 1979, the latest date in respect of which information is available.