Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2024
215. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the rationale for paying a full rate of domiciliary care allowance for every child that qualifies, when the same logic is not applied to the carer's allowance if a person is caring for more than one adult; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37181/24]
View answerThe main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending in 2024 is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion on these payments. Domiciliary Care Allowance is a non means tested payment payable to a parent or guardian in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age and requires this care for at least 12 consecutive months.
It is a monthly payment currently paid at a rate of €340 per month towards the costs of caring for this particular cohort of children with a severe disability. If more than one child is being cared for who requires this high level of care, the allowance is payable for each child.
As of the end 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. The Carer’s Allowance scheme is the main scheme by which the Department provides income support to carers in the community. The two principal conditions for receipt of Carer’s Allowance are that full time care and attention is required and being provided, and that the means test which applies is satisfied.
There are currently 97,407 people in receipt of Carer's Allowance and the estimated spend on this payment in 2024 is over €1.1 billion.
While the Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment towards the costs incurred in the care of a child with exceptional needs, Carer’s Allowance is a social assistance payment which offers a financial support to people who cannot earn, or can only earn a limited income, due to their caring responsibilities. It is a direct income support paid to the carer. It is not a payment for caring.
In circumstances where carers are providing care to more than one person, the rate of Carer's Allowance payable is increased by a maximum of 50% of the standard personal rate. A half-rate Carer’s Allowance may also be available to those in receipt of another social welfare payment who are providing full-time care and attention. Uniquely in the social welfare system in these cases, a carer may retain their main social welfare payment and receive another payment, depending on their means, the maximum of which is equivalent to a half-rate Carer’s Allowance.
It should also be noted that subject to satisfying a means test or having sufficient PRSI contributions, those receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance may also be eligible for Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit. Recipients of the Domiciliary Care Allowance payment also automatically receive the annual Carer's Support Grant in respect of each child being cared for.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
