Vol. 440 No. 1
165 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost to families caring at home for a moderately handicapped child and a severely handicapped child; the extent of the financial support presently available to such families; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
It would not be possible to estimate the cost of caring at home for a moderately or severely handicapped child due to the variety of disabilities involved and the different levels of severity.
Depending on individual circumstances, the following allowances-assistance schemes may be payable to, or in respect of, a child living at home: (a) disabled persons maintenance allowance — disabled person's maintenance allowance — is a weekly allowance paid by health boards to persons over 16 years of age whose disability prevents them from working. The current rate is £59.20; (b) domicilary care allowance — DCA — is paid by health boards in respect of handicapped children between the ages of two and 16 years who require care and attention which is considerably in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The current rate of payment is £92.50 per month; (c) Mobility Allowance — A mobility allowance is payable by health boards to severely handicapped persons who are unable to walk. The current rate is £36.00 per month; (d) medical card — depending on financial circumstances, a disabled person may be entitled to a medical card; (e) long-term illness scheme — persons suffering from specified illnesses can obtain without charge the drugs and medicines for the treatment of their condition.
In addition, people with disabilities may avail of other support services such as home helps, public health nursing, day and respite care and support with technical aids and appliances.
Other Departments also operate a variety of support schemes for people with disabilities including carer's allowance, blind pension, housing grants for structural alterations and income tax allowances.
