asked the Minister for Health if a rebate of domiciliary care allowance will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7 for the period 14 November 1985 to 11 August 1986, as her parents were unaware of their entitlements until after this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Domiciliary Care Allowance.
222.
The payment of domiciliary care allowance in any individual case is a matter for determination by the health board concerned, having regard to all the relevant circumstances in that case.
I had inquiries made of the Eastern Health Board in this case and have been informed that domiciliary care allowance is payable to eligible persons with effect from the date of receipt of application. It is not the practice to make payments in respect of any period prior to the date of receipt of application. There are difficulties of an accounting and budgeting nature in the way of providing for payment of any allowance with effect prior to a date of application. The Eastern Health Board do not intend to depart from their usual practice in this case.