Did you know that Santa can claim back the VAT on specific toys that he delivers to children with additional needs? The most common items on Santa’s list are IPads & tablets Computers Apps (communication, speech, etc.) OT Toys The rule for Santa is that the toy must be specifically for your child and assist […]
Author: Allan Cuthbert
How much will your child need in the future?- by Allan
Have you ever thought about this? A good way to figure this out is to make a list of all the yearly expenses that you currently pay for your child and that you wish for them to have in the future. This will give you an estimate of the main expenses that will have to […]
Free Publication by Inclusion Ireland
Making a Will – An Easy to Read Guide to Making a Will An Easy to Read Guide of the issues involved with making a will or leaving an inheritance to a person with an intellectual disability. I have read this publication again recently and would recommend parents to read it as it has some excellent content. […]
Savings & Investments Information You Need To Know – By Allan
Special Needs Savings Advice All parents who have a child with special needs knows the importance of saving for the future. In this article, I am going to discuss your main options. Investments Products You can invest your money in an investment product which can have a mix of assets such as cash, bonds, […]
Common Mistakes When Planning For Your Child’s Future – by Allan
As I am working in this area for almost 8-years now, I have so much admiration for parents who are working hard to get everything in place for their children’s future. Succession planning is never easy or nice to think about however I have met so many parents who would literally do anything to ensure […]
Changes to the Respite Care Grant – By Allan
The Respite Care Grant is an annual payment made by the Department of Social Protection to the parents/carers of people with special needs. If you are caring for more than one person, you are entitled to a payment for each person you are caring for. The Grant has increased from €1,375 (2015 payment) back to […]
Entitlements- By Allan
I have estimated at this stage I must have cost the department of Social Protection around €6m and the Revenue just under €3.5m. Again, I just had a private consultation with a mum who never heard of Incapacity Child Tax Credit and didn’t realise that she could claim Carers Benefit when she had a change […]
Special Needs & Pension – Allan
A pension at it’s core is a simple long term savings plan that parents can get access to when they retire. My big bug bearer is that the industry has taken a simple concept and made it more complex than space travel. The industry has also passed on ALL the risk to parents who are […]
Disabled Passengers Scheme Expansion
January 2016, Minister Noonan announced an improvement in the scheme to acknowledging the expensive cost of adapted vehicles, given the extensive nature of the adaptations required. You can claim a number of different relief to buy a vehicle for the purpose of transporting your special needs child who holds a primary medical certification. This certification is carried […]