Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 22 Jun 1999

Vol. 506 No. 5

Written Answers. - Domiciliary Care Allowance.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

142 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a small number of parents have to handle a difficult burden due to the fact the domiciliary care allowance to children does not exist for children under the age of two; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that young infants who survive at birth and have major medical problems require special attention and there is very little support for them; if he will extend domiciliary care allowance to these children from birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15720/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

Domiciliary care allowance, DCA, is paid by health boards in respect of children between the ages of two and 16 years who are severely physically or mentally disabled and who require constant care and supervision substantially greater than that which would normally be required by a child of the same age

At present the scheme does not cover children under the age of two years, since all children in that age group are regarded as requiring constant care and attention. Having received a number of enquiries in relation to the qualifying age for this allowance, I arranged for this matter to be examined and would be sympathetic towards the principle of extending coverage of the scheme to that age group. I am keeping matters under review in relation to the possible extension of this allowance to children under two years of age in the future.