Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
80. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider expanding the domiciliary care allowance criteria to better support families caring for children with complex needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2676/26]
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. It is not means tested or based on social insurance contributions. The child must require care and attention substantially over and above that required by other children of the same age. Eligibility is not based on the disability or diagnosis, but rather on the impact of the disability in terms of the level of care and attention required by the child.
There are currently 62,488 families receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of 71,033 children, with an estimated expenditure of almost €359 million in 2026. As part of Budget 2026, the monthly rate increased by €20 to €380, representing a total increase of €70.50 per month since January 2023.
The Government has introduced a number of significant improvements to better support families caring for children with complex needs:
• As part of Budget 2022, the period during which Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid for children in hospital was extended from 3 months to 6 months.
• As of May 2024, for babies who remain in an acute hospital after birth the period was extended from 6 months to 18 months.
These measures ensure that parents continue to receive support during what is often an extremely difficult and stressful time.
During both these extended periods of eligibility and where other conditions are met, a carer may also qualify for Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit. In addition, the non means tested Carer's Support Grant is also available to all full-time carers, whether or not they are in receipt of another 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 am very conscious of the challenges facing our families caring for children with complex needs and I will continue to keep the range of supports provided by my department under review to ensure that the overall objectives of the carer income supports provided are met.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
