Increased support for families of children who are hospitalised

THE period of time for which Domiciliary Care Allowance and Carer’s Allowance are paid for children who are hospitalised is to be doubled.

The supports will continue to be paid for 26 weeks, as opposed to the previous 13-week period, to the parents or guardians of children under 16 who are hospitalised for up to six months.

The measure was negotiated by Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys as part of Budget 2022.

Welcoming the annoucement, Deputy Alan Dillon explained: “Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested and is paid at a rate of €309.50 per month for each child for whom Domiciliary Care Allowance is paid.

“I hope this will give many families greater financial security and peace of mind when they are enduring such difficult experiences.”

Carer’s Allowance, meanwhile, is a means-tested payment for people who are looking after someone who needs support because of age, physical or learning disability or illness, including mental illness.

It is primarily aimed at carers on low incomes who live with and look after certain people who need full-time care and attention.

Budget 2022 measures include improvements to the Carer’s Allowance scheme, including an increase in the capital disregard for carers from €20,000 to €50,000. The weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance will increase to €350 per week for single carers, from €332.50 and to €750 per week for carers with a spouse or partner, from €665.

These measures will take effect from June.