Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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541. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if applications for carer’s allowance increase for a qualified child, IQC, payments for foster children are linked to child benefit payments; if so, the reason therefor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14963/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

A recipient of CA is entitled to claim an increase for a qualified child (IQC) where:

- the child normally resides with them and

- the child is aged less than 18 or is aged between 18 and 21 and attending full-time day education

- is entitled to full rate CA

There is no distinction between a recipient who is a birth parent, an adoptive parent or a foster parent. An IQC is payable on CA from the date that the child becomes a qualified child for that parent or the date that CA commences, whichever is the later.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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542. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if carer’s allowance IQC payments relating to foster children are paid from the date of application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14964/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

A recipient of CA is entitled to claim an increase for a qualified child (IQC) where:

- the child normally resides with them and

- the child is aged less than 18 or is aged between 18 and 21 and attending full-time day education

- is entitled to full rate CA

There is no distinction between a recipient who is a birth parent, an adoptive parent or a foster parent. An IQC is payable on CA from the date that the child becomes a qualified child for that parent or the date that CA commences, whichever is the later.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.