Vol. 535 No. 3
137 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the concerns that the payment of disability allowance directly to minors in residential care is causing great difficulty in some residential care institutions in the control of these persons; and if he will explore the possibility of making such payment to the parents of the recipients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/01]
My Department has put in place an ongoing consultative process with the main organisations representing both the interests of people with disabilities, their families and carers and the interests of service providers. This process enables these representative groups to bring to my Department's attention various issues of concern with a view to devising suitable agreed solutions, where appropriate.
The particular problems raised by the Deputy, which would appear to apply equally to young people in residential care as well as those living at home, have not been highlighted to date as being an issue of concern by any of the representative groups. However, I have arranged for my Department to consult with these groups to see whether this is a widespread problem and, if so, whether the eligibility conditions or payment arrangements for young people claiming disability allowance may need to be adjusted.
