Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2021
381. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children who will benefit from the extension of access to domiciliary care allowance for children in hospital from three to six months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55663/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildren in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), who are admitted to hospital, can retain entitlement to the payment for a period of 13 weeks in any 12 months. This period will be extended to 26 weeks from January 2022.
When preparing estimates for Budget 2022, the Department estimated that the extension could benefit up to 170 children. However, as DCA is a demand led scheme, the number of children who will benefit is not capped and it will be payable in respect of any child who fulfils the conditionality.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
