Vol. 421 No. 4
203 Mr. Ferris asked the Minister for Health if children suffering from PKU are assessed in the same way in each health board when applications are made for a domiciliary care allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Domiciliary care allowance is paid by health boards in respect of children between the ages of two and sixteen years who are so severely physically or mentally handicapped that they require care and attention which is considerably in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age.
Eligibility is determined primarily by reference to the degree of care and attention required by the child rather than to the type of handicap. Each child who is the subject of an application must undergo a medical examination and it is the responsibility of the health board concerned to arrange this examination. The decision to award or refuse an allowance in an individual case is related to the particular circumstances of that case.
