Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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410. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the anticipated reduction in spending of €1.7 million on domicilliary care allowance next year; and if she anticipates a reduction in the number of applications made. [1734/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The provision for expenditure on domiciliary care allowance in 2014 reflects the provisional outturn for expenditure on the scheme in 2013. I can confirm that there has been no reduction in the monthly amount payable on the allowance and also that the Department does not expect any reduction in the number of children benefiting from this payment over the coming year. Rather, it is projected that the number of applications for the scheme in 2014 will reflect the trend of recent years leading to a small increase in the overall number of claims in payment.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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411. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the anticipated 12% reduction in spending on carer's benefit in 2015; and if she anticipates a reduction in the number of applications made. [1735/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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It is assumed that the Deputy is referring to the provision for carer’s benefit in 2014 as distinct from 2015. The 2014 Revised Estimates Volume (REV) provides for expenditure on carer's benefit of €21.5 million this year. This is 12% lower than the 2013 REV estimate and is mainly due to an ongoing decrease in the number of recipients.

However, the total provision for expenditure on carers generally (carer's allowance, carer's benefit, domiciliary care allowance and respite care grant) in 2014 is nearly €806 million. This is €28.9 million higher than the 2013 REV estimate and €4.6 million higher than the expected outturn for 2013.