Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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43. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to support a matter (details supplied) regarding the domiciliary care allowance and the carer's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1604/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The age limit for receipt of domiciliary care allowance (DCA) is 16 years. As the child concerned will reach the age of 16 years in April 2016, DCA is no longer payable after that date. A letter issued in December 2015, to the person concerned, advising that payment of the DCA allowance is due to end in April 2016, but that her child could apply for disability allowance in his own right.

Carers allowance (CA), stays in payment as long as the qualifying conditions continue to be met, unlike DCA it does not stop automatically when the care recipient reaches a specific age. However, the Department may decide to review continuing eligibility for CA at that point or at any future point. Accordingly, the person concerned does not need to re-apply for CA.