Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1020.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she has considered extending the period during which domiciliary care allowance can be paid beyond the 16th birthday for those who continue in full-time education and do not wish to seek eligibility for disability allowance which is paid on an entirely different criteria, so it would be on similar years as for the standard child benefit.[35825/24]

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

My department provides the Domiciliary Care Allowance which is a monthly payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability and requires care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age.

From January 2024, the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased from €330 to €340 per month. This monthly payment has increased by €30.50 under this Government. As of August, there were 55,995 families in receipt of the payment in relation to 63,042 children. Expenditure in 2024 is estimated at almost €274 million.

Domiciliary Care Allowance ceases to be payable when a child reaches 16 years of age. The young person can then apply for Disability Allowance if they meet the eligibility requirements.

Disability Allowance is a long-term disability payment which is subject to a means test, medical assessment and a habitual residency requirement.

One of the key proposals in the Green Paper on Disability Reform, that I published last year, was to extend Domiciliary Care Allowance to 18 years of age. In line with this change, the Paper proposed to also raise the qualifying age for Disability Allowance to age 18.

The Green Paper was a consultation document. Based on the feedback I received during the public consultation, it became clear that there were significant concerns about the proposals in the Green Paper. Among these concerns, people in particular questioned whether it was appropriate to reform the system of disability payments separate to a wider consideration of other challenges faced by people with disabilities, including transport, health, education and access to employment.

I listened to these concerns and, in April, I announced that we would not proceed any further with the proposals.

As a Government, we now need to have a fresh look at how we can support people with disabilities. The Taoiseach has established a Cabinet Committee on Children and Education and Disability. Any reform of disability payments, including Domiciliary Care Allowance, will now be considered as part of this broader review of disability matters on a whole-of-government basis. Officials in my Department are currently analysing the feedback collated during the Green Paper process. This feedback will be shared with the new Committee.

It should also be noted that since May 2024, Child Benefit is payable for a child who is in full-time education, or who has a disability, up until their 19th birthday.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.