Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 April 2019
541. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if applications for carer’s allowance increase for a qualified child, IQC, payments for foster children are linked to child benefit payments; if so, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14963/19]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
A recipient of CA is entitled to claim an increase for a qualified child (IQC) where:
- the child normally resides with them and
- the child is aged less than 18 or is aged between 18 and 21 and attending full-time day education
- is entitled to full rate CA
There is no distinction between a recipient who is a birth parent, an adoptive parent or a foster parent. An IQC is payable on CA from the date that the child becomes a qualified child for that parent or the date that CA commences, whichever is the later.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
