Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to change the rules or providing another payment that would apply when a child is still in hospital regarding the domiciliary care allowance when granted in cases of sick children in hospital and the current stipulation that the payment can only commence once the child has been discharged home (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5898/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is an allowance payable in respect of children with a severe disability, who require care and attention substantially in excess of that required by other children their age without their disability. It is payable on the basis that the child is receiving the additional care in their own home. As a result, DCA is not payable while the child is resident in a hospital.

Children who meet the qualifying conditions for the scheme, in regard to having a disability and requiring substantial extra care, can have their application approved, with payment commencing when they leave hospital and return home.

Any parent experiencing difficulty meeting the additional expense arising from having a child in hospital may qualify for a payment under the Departments means tested exceptional needs payment scheme. In such circumstances the parent should contact their local Intreo centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.