Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the reason the domiciliary care allowance and respite grant ceases when a person with a disability is 16 years of age; and if a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will be given the maximum support and advice. [18175/04]

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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Domiciliary care allowance 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 one year.

When the child is approaching the age of 16, he or she should be advised to apply for disability allowance, DA, which is administered by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The boards should notify the parent(s) of the child at least six months prior to the child's 16th birthday. DA is a weekly payment for persons with a disability and generally someone who satisfied the medical conditions for DCA will satisfy the medical conditions for DA. However, the claimant must also satisfy a means test. Entitlement to DCA ceases on the child's 16th birthday.

In this regard, as domiciliary care allowance is paid to recipients up to the age of 16 the respite care grant cannot be paid by the health board after the child reaches 16. To be eligible for the grant at this stage from the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the applicant must be in receipt of the carer's allowance or the carer's benefit.