Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2019
398. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing child benefit and domiciliary care allowance by €5 in 2020; the estimated full year cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30325/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. It is paid at a rate of €140 per month for each child under 18 years of age if they are in full-time education, full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
The estimated full year cost of increasing Child Benefit by €5 per month per child is€73.3 million.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment of €309.50 for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested.
The estimated full year cost of increasing Domiciliary Care Allowance by €5 per month per child is €2.9 million.
Therefore, the estimated full year cost of increasing both Child Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance by €5 is €76.2 million.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2020. Any increases to Child Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance would need to be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
