271. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of increasing the domiciliary care allowance by €5. [45962/24]

The estimated annual cost of increasing the Domiciliary Care Allowance by €5 per month from €340 per month to €345 per month is €4.0m.

This costing is on a full year basis and is based on 2024 rates of payment.

It should be noted that this costing is subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients for 2025.

The rate of Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase from €340 per month to €360 per month with effect from January 2025, as a result of Budget 2025.