Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 February 2019
247. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the rules on the awarding of a domiciliary care allowance in cases in which the child is in hospital; if the payment of the allowance in cases in which it is already awarded is altered or not paid in circumstances in which the child is admitted to hospital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6060/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is an allowance payable in respect of children with a severe disability, who require care and attention substantially in excess of that required by other children their age without their disability. It is payable on the basis that the child is receiving the additional care in their own home. As a result DCA is not payable while the child is resident for an extended period in a hospital.
Parents who are already in receipt of the allowance in respect of a child who becomes hospitalised can continue to receive DCA for a further 13 weeks. If the child is still in hospital at that time, payment is suspended until they return home.
Children who have not been in payment, but who meet the qualifying conditions for the scheme, in regard to having a disability and requiring substantial extra care, can have their application approved, with payment commencing when they leave hospital and return home.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
