Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 February 2022

Thursday, 17 February 2022

Questions (232)

Joe Flaherty

Question:

232. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claimants who ceased to receive the domiciliary carers’ allowance in 2021 when they reached 16 years of age; the number of care recipients who subsequently applied for the disability allowance and disability benefit payment; the number who applied for the disability allowance and disability benefit payment were successful; and the number of those who applied for the disability allowance and disability benefit payment whose unsuccessful application is still under appeal. [8930/22]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for parents caring for a child with a severe disability 

Domiciliary Care allowance can be paid in respect of qualified children up to age 16 years.  A total of 3,402 children ceased being eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance during 2021 as they reached 16 years.

The number of  these children who subsequently went on to claim Disability Allowance is not collated and as a result this information is not available, nor is the number of appeals relating to this cohort.

Illness Benefit is a social insurance based scheme, and as such a 16 years old could not yet have the required PRSI contributions to qualify for this benefit.

 I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.