Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 October 2024
244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the decision not to grant domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43837/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary 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 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 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.
The DCA application from the person concerned was disallowed by a Deciding Officer as per decision dated 23 April 2024. 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 and the Deciding Officer 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 foot of your previous request for a review of eligibility for DCA in this case, a review of the application in respect of their child has been completed by a Deciding Officer and they have decided not to revise the above decision, as per review decision dated 22 October 2024. Full details of the review decision have been sent by post to the person concerned and should be received shortly.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) have been notified of a request for an appeal of the original decision and will be in contact directly with the person concerned in due course.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
