Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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294. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will raise the age limit for domiciliary care allowance to 18 years of age, to reflect the reality that recipients of DCA are dependents until they reach the age of majority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7877/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent/guardian in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability or condition and requires continual or continuous care and attention in the home, substantially and above the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and the child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

DCA ceases to be payable when a child reaches 16. A child may transition to Disability Allowance (DA) from age 16, even if still attending full-time education, subject to satisfying all qualifying conditions for that scheme, including certain medical criteria and a means test.

The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 includes a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘Strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report.

Work on the ‘Strawman’ is at an advanced stage. I intend to carry out a wider consultation process with all stakeholders and advocacy groups following publication.

It is imperative when deciding on any changes to social protection schemes including changes to the scheme(s) age limits, that any unintended consequences are avoided.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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295. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will re-examine the criteria for disability allowance for those coming off the domiciliary care allowance at the age of 16 years who are still in full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7878/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged up to 16, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. Domiciliary Care Allowance ceases to be payable when a child reaches 16 years of age. As of December 2022, there were over 50,100 recipients of Domiciliary Care Allowance.

An application for Disability Allowance may be made at 16 years of age. Disability Allowance is a means tested payment for people who are aged between 16 and 66 with a specified disability that may be expected to continue for at least a year. As of December 2022, there were over 157,800 recipients of Disability Allowance.

The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 includes a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘Strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report. The Cost of Disability report is feeding into the preparation of the ‘Strawman’ reform proposals.

Work on the ‘Strawman’ is at an advanced stage. I intend to carry out a wider consultation process with all stakeholders and advocacy groups following publication.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.