Vol. 502 No. 3
368 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the extension of the domiciliary care allowance scheme to cover children under the age of two; the intentions, if any, he has to extend the scheme; the timeframe involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7999/99]
The domiciliary care allowance, DCA, is paid by health boards in respect of children between the ages of two and 16 years who are severely physically or mentally disabled and who require constant care and supervision substantially greater than that which would normally be required by a child of the same age.
At present the scheme does not cover children under the age of two years, since all children in that age group are regarded as requiring constant care and attention. As I indicated in an earlier reply, following receipt of a number of inquiries about the qualifying age for this allowance, I arranged for the matter to be examined. I would be sympathetic towards the principle of extending coverage of the scheme to that age group.
I am keeping matters under review in relation to the future possible extension of this allowance to children under two years of age.
