Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
522. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will reconsider the policy in which entitlement to the domiciliary care allowance, carer’s benefit and carer’s allowance is suspended if a child remains in hospital for longer than thirteen weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4260/21]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is an allowance payable in respect of children with a severe disability, who require care and attention substantially in excess of that required by other children their age without their disability. It is payable to the person providing for the child's care while they are resident with that person for at least 5 days each week, in their own home. Carers benefit or allowance can be paid in respect of such children while they are in receipt of DCA and the person providing the care meets the other relevant qualifying conditions.
DCA can be paid, for a period not exceeding 13 weeks in any 12 months, if the child is admitted to hospital on a full-time basis for medical or other treatment.
If a child is resident in an institution (including a hospital) for part of each week, DCA can be paid at 50% of the normal rate if the child resides with the qualified person between 2 and 4 days each week.
As a result DCA is not payable while the child is resident on a fulltime basis for an extended period in a hospital.
It is not proposed to amend the qualifying condition of the DCA scheme at this time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
