Niamh Smyth
Question:777. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a review of a domiciliary care allowance application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30134/26]
View answerTuesday, 28 April 2026
Questions (777)
Written answers
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly allowance payable to a parent / guardian 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. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living in areas such as mobility, personal care, feeding / diet, communication, speech / language, sleeping, behaviour, safety, sensory issues, including any other additional needs.
Eligibility for DCA is not based entirely on the type of disability or diagnosis but primarily on the impact of the child's disability, in terms of the associated overall level of care and attention required by the child compared to a child of a similar age who does not have such a disability. The decision process that applies in the consideration of whether a child meets the conditions for DCA includes the examination of all relevant factors identified as impacting on the child's additional care needs.
An application for DCA in respect of the child concerned was received by my Department on 7 December 2025. A Deciding Officer disallowed the claim as per decision dated 16 February 2026. Based on the information provided, the child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the applicant in their application. The Deciding Officer also had regard to the professional opinion of a departmental Medical Assessor in making their decision and a copy of this opinion was issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notification.
On the 27 March 2026 the person concerned requested a review and appeal of the above decision. Following a re-examination of their application, including all the further new information/evidence that was provided by the applicant in support of their review request, a Deciding Officer decided not to revise the above original decision. The Deciding Officer then forwarded their file to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) for the consideration of an Appeals Officer who will write to the person concerned once an appeal decision has been made.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.