Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 5

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Jim O'Keeffe

Question:

26 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the merits of the case for payment of the domiciliary care allowance from the date of definitive diagnosis of intellectual or physical disability of a baby; and if he will change the present regulation which denies payment before the age of two. [22815/99]

Dan Neville

Question:

28 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make domiciliary care allowance available to parents of severely handicapped children under the age of two. [22188/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 28 together.

I indicated in previous replies to questions and to Adjournment debates about domiciliary care allowance, that following receipt of a number of inquiries about the qualifying age for this allowance I arranged for the matter to be examined. I have provided full information on the findings of this examination in such replies. The outcome of the examination concluded that best international practice recognises the additional care required for children with a disability under two years of age. Very often it is not simply a matter of care but the kind and intensity of the care required. While the international experience varies in the type of and eligibility for schemes, the underlying trend is to offer some support to children under two years of age.

I remind the Deputies that the thrust of the DCA has been clearly stated i.e.

It is not intended that the scheme should apply to short-term illnesses or disabilities – the handicap must be present at the time of the application, have been present for at least six months prior to that date, and be likely to continue to last for at least a year.

It is in this context of the longer term care requirements for children with disabilities that I am supportive of extending the DCA to children under two years. Officials from my Department are discussing the possibility of funding being sourced for the extension of DCA in the Estimates for year 2000.