Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will outline the benefits of doubling the period of time for which domiciliary care allowance and carer’s allowance paid for children who are hospitalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24364/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I was pleased to announce, that, as part of the Budget 2022 measures, the period of time in which both Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) and Carer’s Allowance (CA) are paid in circumstances where a child, up to the age of 16, in respect of whom either DCA or CA is in payment, is hospitalised on a full-time basis for an extended period has increased from 13 weeks to 26 weeks since January 2022.

I hope this will give many families greater financial security and peace of mind when they are enduring such difficult experiences.

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.

It is not means tested and is paid at a rate of €309.50 per month for each child for whom Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid.

Carer’s Allowance, meanwhile, is a means-tested payment for people living in Ireland who are looking after someone who needs support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness.

Carer’s Allowance is primarily aimed at carers on low incomes who live with and look after certain people who need full-time care and attention.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.