Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of families who lose all State support when their child turns 16 and domiciliary care allowance ends, due to not meeting the means test for disability allowance, in tabular form; the measures being considered to address this gap in support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52470/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government provides a broad range of income supports to carers. Key supports provided by my Department include Domiciliary Care Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, and the annual Carer’s Support Grant.

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly non-means tested payment to a parent or guardian for a child aged up to 16 who has a severe disability. The child must require care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children their age.

Disability Allowance is a means-tested income support payment for people aged 16 or over whose illness or disability means that they are substantially restricted from doing work that would be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications.

The two schemes are designed for different purposes and have different eligibility criteria. As such, not satisfying the means test is not the only reason why someone in respect of whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance had been in payment is not eligible for Disability Allowance on turning 16. It is worth noting that the parent’s income is not assessed in the means test for Disability Allowance.

Statistics on claim processing are collated at scheme level, and it is not possible to provide breakdowns by individual claim characteristics such as reasons for refusal. However, the following information suggests that a significant proportion of those benefiting from Domiciliary Care Allowance at age 15 are in receipt of Disability Allowance the following year.

It is important to point out that where a child in respect of whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance was in payment turns 16 and is not eligible for Disability Allowance that does not represent a loss of all State support.

Where the child's carer was in receipt of a Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit in addition to the Domiciliary Care Allowance Payment, that payment will continue for as long as the qualifying conditions are met, even after the Domiciliary Care Allowance has ceased. In addition, as long as the carer is continuing to provide full-time care and attention, they will continue to be eligible for the annual Carer's Support Grant. This now stands at €2,000 - its highest ever level.

In addition, Child Benefit continues to be payable until a child's 19th birthday where they are in full time education or have a disability.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.