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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1985

Vol. 358 No. 12

Written Answers. - Domiciliary Care Allowances.

631.

asked the Minister for Health if he will extend the constant care allowance to those people who suffer from cystic fibrosis due to the heavy financial burden that this disease places on a family in order to maintain a patient at a reasonable standard of good health.

Domiciliary care allowance is payable in respect of children who due to a physical or mental disability require a level of care and attention which is substantially greater than that normally required by a child of the same age.

Eligibility for domiciliary care allowance is determined by reference to the degree of care and attention required by the child rather than to the type of disability or illness involved. There are no specified illnesses or other disabilities which automatically qualify for the allowance; consequently the question of extending the scheme to a particular category such as children suffering from cystic fibrosis does not arise. Domiciliary care allowance is not intended as an income maintenance scheme and the means of parents are not taken into account when assessing eligibility. Parents who are experiencing the financial burdens reffered to by the Deputy could apply for assistance under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.

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