Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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348. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the eligibility rules whereby domiciliary care allowance (DCA) automatically ceases when a child turns 16, regardless of the child's continuing care needs; if he will consider extending DCA until the child's transition to disability allowance has been fully approved and implemented or continue the DCA allowance until child turns 18; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50359/26]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non-means tested payment to a parent or guardian in respect of a child under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continuous care and attention, substantially more than what is typically required by a child of the same age. Eligibility is not based on the disability or diagnosis, but on the impact of the disability in terms of the level of care and attention required by the child.

From January 2026, the monthly rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased from €360 to €380. More than 64,460 families are currently receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of approximately 73,580 children. The estimated expenditure on the scheme in 2026 is almost €359 million.

Domiciliary Care Allowance stops being paid when a child turns 16 years of age. If the young person continues to have a disability that significantly impacts their daily living activities, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own name of €254 per week. To avoid any gap in support, families can apply for Disability Allowance up to 3 months before the child’s 16th birthday.

Where a parent or guardian is also receiving Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit, those payments may continue for as long as the qualifying conditions are met. The annual Carer’s Support Grant, which was paid on 4th June, at the rate of €2,000 also remains payable where full-time care continues.

Any future reform of Domiciliary Care Allowance will be considered in the context of commitments set out in the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.