Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
37. Deputy Eoin Hayes asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide analysis carried out by his Department on the net financial effect on individuals and families when a disabled person turns 16 years of age, given that disabilities payments commence but the domiciliary care allowance ends. [2754/26]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly 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. Eligibility is not means tested or based on social insurance contributions.
Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance stops when a child reaches 16 years of age at which point the young person may be eligible for Disability Allowance in their own right.
Disability Allowance is a means-tested income support payment for people 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.
As part of Budget 2026, the rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance increased by €20 to its current monthly rate of €380, or a weekly equivalent of €95. Disability Allowance was also increased this month by €10 to a weekly personal rate of €254 per week.
If a young person becomes entitled to Disability Allowance at age 16 there will likely be an increased social welfare payment into their household. The overall position within the household in terms of the level of social welfare support received will be determined by a number of factors including the young person's means and whether other members of the household are in receipt of a social welfare payment.
If their parent or guardian continues to provide full-time care when a young person moves on to Disability Allowance they can retain, or apply for, a carer's payment such as Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit, both of which have also now been increased to weekly rates of €270 and €271 respectively.
The non-means tested Carer's Support Grant is also available to all full-time carers whether or not they are in receipt of a payment from my Department. As part of Budget 2025, the Grant was increased by €150 bringing this annual payment to €2,000, the highest rate since its introduction.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
