Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate if domiciliary care allowance may be deemed appropriate in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2314/24]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly allowance payable 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, in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding/diet, communication, speech/language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the child's disability/diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the disability/diagnosis in terms of the associated level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of the same age. The assessment process that applies in the consideration of whether a child satisfies the criteria for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
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.
All applications are decided by a deciding officer on an individual case by case basis, in respect of the relevant child, based on the personal details provided in the application form (Dom Care1), including the signed details from the applicant's GP or other medical professional on this form, along with any additional information or documentary evidence such as medical professional report(s) or otherwise, if provided by the applicant. The deciding officer has regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in the decision process in all cases.
The DCA application form is available to download online at gov.ie (Domiciliary Care Allowance Application Form (Dom Care 1)) or can be requested at any Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizens Information Centre.
A parent/guardian who is providing full-time care to a disabled child under 16 may be entitled to other related support(s) from my Department as follows, subject to satisfying the relevant qualifying criteria.
Carer'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 an adult or a qualifying child who needs support due to 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 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.
