Domiciliary care allowance is payable in respect of children with a severe disability who require care and attention substantially in excess of that required by children of a similar age without their disability, providing this additional care is likely to last for at least 12 months.
This allowance and the related annual carers support grant are not provided for a specific purpose and can be used as required by the recipient.
Additional costs resulting from a child's illness may be covered under the exceptional needs payment scheme operated by the Department. Payment is discretionary and based on the individual circumstances of each application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.