Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
383. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated annual cost of providing domiciliary care allowance to children aged 16 and 17 years in view of the fact that children can no longer access this payment once they turn 16 years of age; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55665/21]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a qualified child's 16th Birthday, after which they may have an entitlement to Disability Allowance.
The number of children in receipt of DCA in the month immediately before their 16th birthday will vary each month and over time. However, as an indication of the potential cost, at December 2020 there was just under 4,000 children aged 15 in receipt of DCA. Assuming these children continue to meet the qualifying conditions for the scheme, the cost of continuing to pay them the DCA after their 16th birthday and until they reach 17 would be circa €15m euro per annum. If this payment were to continue to age 18 the additional cost would amount to around €30m. Carers support grant and Carers allowance where applicable, would also be payable and incur additional costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
