Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 December 2023
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) may qualify for appropriate payment such as domiciliary care allowance in respect of their four-year-old daughter who suffers from a number of health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54406/23]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child deal with the activities of daily living. Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the child's disability / diagnosis but rather on the impact of the disability, in terms of the associated level of care required by the child.
The child concerned may qualify for DCA depending on the extent of their additional care needs compared to a child of the same age without their disability / diagnosis.
According to my Department's records, an application for DCA has not been received from the person concerned in respect of the relevant child to date. However, my officials have arranged for an application form (Dom Care 1) to be posted to them this week. The form is also available to download online at gov.ie - Domiciliary Care Allowance Application Form (Dom Care 1) (www.gov.ie) or can be requested at any Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office, or Citizens Information Centre.
New DCA applications are currently taking approximately 6 weeks to process from date of receipt of application.
A parent / guardian who is providing full-time care to a person including a disabled child under 16 may be entitled to other related payment(s) from my Department, subject to satisfying the relevant qualifying criteria.
My Department's Carer's Allowance (CA) payment 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 an adult or a child who needs support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness. In order to be eligible for CA in respect of a child aged under 16, the parent / guardian must be in receipt of DCA in respect of the relevant child.
Carer's Benefit (CARB) is a short-term PRSI based payment which is payable for up to 104 weeks/ 2 years to a carer who leaves employment or reduces their hours of employment in order to care for a person including a disabled or ill child who is in need of full-time care.
The associated Carer's Support Grant is an annual payment which is automatically paid with DCA, CA and CARB.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
