Written answers
Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection
Social Welfare Schemes
Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the anticipated number of families who will benefit from the extension of the period from thirteen weeks to six months that payment of the domiciliary care allowance can be paid with regard to children in hospital. [5253/22]
Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for parents caring for a child with a severe disability.
The number of children, in respect of whom Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is being paid, who are admitted to hospitals for periods in excess of 13 weeks but under 26 weeks in any given year will vary. However, based on the numbers of such cases advised to DCA section in recent years, it is estimated that the number of families affected by this change will be relatively low, less than 100, but each of these families will benefit from the reassurance of knowing that Domiciliary Care Allowance will remain in payment at a particularly difficult time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
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