Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2024
275. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made on an application for domiciliary care allowance (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30758/24]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of a child aged under 16 who has a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age and where the level of that disability is such that the child is likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.
Eligibility for DCA is based on the child's ongoing additional care needs.
In line with other Social Protection schemes, DCA is subject to review to ensure that the qualifying conditions for the allowance continue to be met.
A deciding officer wrote to the person concerned on 3 August 2023 advising that their continued entitlement to DCA in respect of their child was under review. This communication also advised the person they could, if applicable, submit any further relevant information / documentary evidence in support of that review.
Further to the above communication, a Deciding Officer decided as per review decision dated 01 December 2023, that the person concerned was no longer entitled to DCA with effect from 30 November 2023, as their child no longer satisfied the medical criteria for DCA, based on all available information, including the further updated medical evidence that was provided by the claimant as part of that review. The person concerned was notified of that review decision in writing on 1 December 2023, the reason for the decision and of the right of review and/or appeal.
The person concerned appealed the above decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO)
In advance of the appeal process, a further review of their DCA claim was undertaken by a Deciding Officer, and as part of that review process, their file, including the further information and documentary (medical) evidence provided by the claimant in support of their appeal/ review was referred for the opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor (MA). Following receipt of the MA response, a further review was completed by a Deciding Officer who decided not to revise the above decision, as per review decision dated 09 July 2024. The person concerned was notified of this further decision in writing on 9 July 2024 and a copy of the further MA opinion (dated 9 July 2024) was also enclosed with the decision notification for their information.
The claimant's file was submitted to the SWAO on 9 July 2024, for determination by an Appeals Officer. The SWAO will notify the person concerned directly of the appeal outcome in due course.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
