Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
112 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her approach to a recommendation from the Disability Federation of Ireland that a cost of disability payment should be introduced for persons with a disability currently in receipt of a means-tested social welfare payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23315/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, an interdepartmental working group, chaired by the Department of Health and Children, was established to examine the feasibility of introducing a cost of disability payment — PPF3.10.11.
The National Disability Authority, on behalf of the working group, and in line with its own remit, commissioned research into the feasibility of such a payment in Ireland. The purpose of this research was to advise regarding the additional costs incurred by people with disabilities, owing specifically to the direct or indirect costs of the disability and the appropriate mechanisms or instruments by which to address identified additional costs. The resultant report, Disability and the Cost of Living, was published by the NDA early in 2004.
The working group produced a position paper in March this year, which gave an overview of the work it had undertaken. It outlined the group's current thinking and also gave an indication of the next steps the group intends taking. The working group recommends that urgent steps should be taken to improve the quality of data relating to disability in Ireland. This might include, for example, adjustment of existing data gathering exercises undertaken by the Central Statistics Office or other relevant bodies to include questions on the numbers per household with disabilities, the nature of the disability, severity of impairment, etc. The working group considers that it is vital that comprehensive data should be available on which to base consideration of the feasibility of a cost of disability payment. Given its advisory and research remit, the working group considers that the National Disability Authority has an important role to play in addressing these data gaps along with other relevant bodies.
The working group acknowledges that a number of Departments and agencies have previously carried out reviews of the various supports-payments for people with disabilities. However, these reviews have tended to focus solely on the operation of individual schemes, without taking a broader view of how these measures fit into the overall system of disability supports. The working group proposes to examine the scope for rationalising and streamlining the various disability supports measures, with a focus on mitigating the additional costs of disability for a greater number of people with disabilities, particularly in the case of those who wish to move from total welfare dependence to greater economic independence. The working group is following up these various matters.
113 Mr. Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in view of the high cost of hospitalisation for long-stay children, she has plans to amend the terms of the domiciliary care allowance, which is discontinued when a child who normally lives at home is absent from the home for eight weeks or more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23322/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe domiciliary care allowance, DCA, was introduced in 1973 by way of circular 24/73 and is payable under section 61 of the Health Act 1970. DCA is a monthly allowance administered by health boards and may be paid in respect of eligible children from birth to the age of 16 who have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention, which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The condition must be likely to last for at least one year.
Eligibility is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required by the child rather than to the type of disability involved, subject to the means test. While no condition is debarred, conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy are not normally considered unless significant additional care and attention is required. Since the allowance is intended as a recognition of the additional burden involved in caring for children with a severe disability in the their homes, it does not apply to children who are maintained full time in residential homes, schools or other institutions. Eligible children in part-time residential care who go home at weekends or holidays may receive a pro rata payment, that is, a nightly rate based on the number of nights spent at home — nightly rate is equal to the monthly rate multiplied by 12 and divided by 365. However, the allowance is paid in full in cases where eligible children who live full time at home are absent for periods of not more than eight weeks in a 12-month period, that is, hospital admissions or respite. There are no plans to amend the terms of the DCA in this regard.
