Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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.

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

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 25 September 2023.

Under social welfare legislation, CA for the care of a care recipient who is aged less than 16 years can only be awarded where DCA is in payment.

I can confirm that an application for DCA is with a deciding officer and an information request has issued to the person concerned.

Once notification is received that a decision has been made on the DCA application, the CA application will be processed without delay and the person concerned notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.