Paul McAuliffe
Ceist:623. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on a domiciliary care allowance application (details supplied). [45391/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 16 June 2026
Ceisteanna (623)
Freagraí scríofa
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 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 person concerned submitted two separate applications in respect of two children. These were disallowed by a Deciding Officer as per decisions dated 9 April 2026 and 14 April 2026. Based on the information provided, the children were not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA. This determination considered the supporting medical evidence that was provided by the applicant in their applications and the Deciding Officer had regard to the professional opinions of Departmental Medical Assessors in making their decisions and a copy of these opinions were issued to the applicant for information along with the decision notifications.
On foot of a request for reviews of eligibility for DCA in both cases, a review of the applications in respect of the children concerned has been completed by a Deciding Officer and they have decided to award the applications as per review decisions dated 11 June 2026. Full details of the review decisions have been sent via MyWelfare to the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.