Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 4

Written Answers. - Domiciliary Care Allowance.

Paul McGrath

Question:

75 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children the policy of his Department regarding the payment of domiciliary care allowance; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some health boards do not pay this allowance to some parents where the child is in institutional care for part of each week; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that only holiday periods in excess of eight weeks duration warrant payment of this allowance to parents; his views on the interpretations of the rules; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12476/98]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Domiciliary care allowance is intended as a recognition of the extra burden involved in caring for a severely disabled child at home. It does not apply to children who are living away from home while attending special schools or other institutions. There is no provision in the scheme for a pro-rata payment in respect of children who are in residential care for part of the week. Neither is it payable in respect of short holiday periods but, as stated by the Deputy, a child may become eligible for domiciliary care allowance after spending a continuous period of more than eight weeks at home.

However, if parents are experiencing financial difficulty in caring for children with disability while they are at home, they may apply to their local health board office for a supplementary welfare allowance.