Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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541. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to extending eligibility for the domiciliary care allowance to children residing in hospital that do not satisfy the requirement that they live at home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26394/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a payment made in respect of a child with a severe disability who requires additional care and attention, it is payable to the person providing for the child's care while they are resident with that person for at least 5 days each week.

DCA can be paid, for a period not exceeding 13 weeks in any 12 months, if the child is admitted to hospital on a full-time basis for medical or other treatment.

If a child is resident in an institution (including a hospital) for part of each week, DCA can be paid at 50% of the normal rate if the child resides with the qualified person between 2 and 4 days each week.

It is not proposed to amend the qualifying condition of the scheme at this time.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.