Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

162. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if he will address the various support payments for children with special needs in the forthcoming budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29177/16]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The support payments provided for children with disabilities, including domiciliary care allowance and Carers Allowance are routinely reviewed in a budget context, within the constraints of competing priorities and available resources. Indeed, one such payment, the Carers Support Grant, was recently increased to €1700 per annum per child. My colleague, Simon Harris, Minister for Health is working to ensure that legislation to make medical cards automatic for very sick children on Domiciliary Care Allowance, comes before the Dáil this term.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.