Mark Wall
Ceist:119. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will extend the domiciliary care allowance from 16 to 18 in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50032/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 September 2025
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
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. 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.
As part of Budget 2025, the payment increased by €20, to its current rate of €360.
In August 2025, more than 60,502 families were in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance in respect of over 68,500 children. Claims have doubled since 2015.
Domiciliary Care Allowance stops being paid when a child reaches 16 years of age. This aligns with the age of eligibility for Disability Allowance. If the young person continues to have a disability that significantly impacts their daily life, they can then apply for a Disability Allowance payment in their own name. If their parent or guardian continues to provide full-time care they can then retain, or apply for, a carer's payment.
One of the key proposals in the Green Paper on Disability Reform was to extend the upper age limit for Domiciliary Care Allowance and the lower age limit for Disability Allowance to 18 years of age. The Green Paper was a consultation document. Based on the feedback received during the public consultation, the Green Paper was withdrawn.