Health

• GPs offer free developmental examinations in the weeks following a baby’s birth.
• Public health nurses also monitor the development of a baby and provides information and support to parents.
• Children who have mild or moderate difficulties may be referred to health professionals in their local primary care services by a nurse or GP.
• You can find out about these services at your local health centre.
• Children may be referred to a Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) by either a parent or health and social care professional.
• The CDNT is a team of professionals with expertise in disability who work closely together in areas such as psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, paediatrics, physiotherapy, social work, and speech and language therapy.
• If your child has not been diagnosed but you think they may have a disability, you can apply for an Assessment of Need by the HSE to help identify your child’s health and education needs.
• Your child may be eligible for a medical card or GP visit card subject to certain criteria.
• A child that has a condition covered by the Long Term Illness Scheme is entitled to free medicines and appliances for the treatment of that condition.

Income Supports

• The Department of Social Protection provides the main income supports and payments for carers and people with disabilities.

• Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit are the main payments for those providing full-time care.

• If you get Carer’s Allowance, you are entitled to a free travel pass.

• Carers may also qualify for an annual Carer’s Support Grant.

• If you receive other social welfare payments, you may be able to keep your main social welfare payment and get half-rate Carer’s Allowance 
  in addition.

• The Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment made to the carer of a child with a severe disability who lives at home.

• All children receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance are eligible for a medical card without a means test.

• The Homemaker’s Scheme is also available if you have given up work to take care of an incapacitated child.

• When your child reaches the age of 16, they may qualify for Disability Allowance. 

Primary & second-level education

• Special education teachers and special needs assistants provide additional support for students with special educational needs in mainstream primary and secondary schools.
• Additional teaching and other resources are available through Special Educational Needs Organisers.
• The Visiting Teacher Service supports families and children who are deaf/hard of hearing or
  blind/visually impaired. 
• The Home Tuition Scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who are awaiting a suitable educational placement.
• The Summer Programme is available in all schools to extend their education services during the summer holiday period for children with a disability.
• A home-based Summer Programme is available
  to certain children if their school is not participating in the Summer Programme
  or cannot offer them a place.
• The Irish Sign Language (ISL) scheme is available to children who are deaf/hard of hearing and whose main means of communication is using ISL.
• Special classes for pupils with specific speech
  and language disorder are attached to mainstream primary schools and available to students who meet specific criteria.
• There are special reading schools, and special classes attached to some mainstream primary schools, which support the needs of children
  with dyslexia.
• There are special schools, and special classes attached to some mainstream schools, for students with a hearing impairment.

Tax credits & reliefs

• Health expenses can be claimed through the Medical Expenses Tax Relief.
• These can be your own health expenses, those of a family member or any individual’s, as long as you paid for them.
• VAT refunds are available on certain aids and appliances.
• The Incapacitated Child Tax Credit is available to the parents/guardians of a child who is permanently incapacitated.
• The Dependent Relative Tax Credit is a tax credit that parents/guardians and people caring for dependent relatives may claim.
• Trust funds that benefit people who are permanently incapacitated may be exempt from income tax. 
• Tax relief is available on the cost of employing a carer for either yourself or for another family member. 
• Tax relief is available for those who have an assistance dog.
• The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides a range of tax reliefs for disabled drivers and disabled passengers.
• The Home Carer Tax Credit is available married couples and those in a civil partnership if they care for a dependent person.

School transport

• The School Transport Scheme applies to children with special educational needs recognised by the Department of Education.
• Eligible children do not pay a charge for school transport.
• Where transport cannot be provided, children may be eligible for a Special Transport Grant to help with the cost of making private transport arrangements.

Early years

• All children are entitled to two year’s free pre-school education and early childhood care under the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme.
• Some specialised pre-school services may be available in your area, such as the Access and Inclusion Model, and many pre-schools have staff who are trained to work with children with special needs.
• Applications for targeted supports are made by the pre-school provider in collaboration parents.
• Children with a disability are entitled to an Assessment of Need of education supports and services to determine their requirements. 

Housing

• The Housing Adaptation Grant is available for those with a physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability that enables an improvement in how they enter and move around the home.

   

• The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme is also available for minor adaptations of a house.