Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 23 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.

Willie Penrose

Question:

163 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will takes steps to deal with correspondence from a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath in relation to backdating domiciliary care allowance for her child, which was approved from February 1999, but which can only be paid by the health board from June 2000, leaving the June 1999 domiciliary care allowance payment to be made up by his Department as it was his Department's responsibility at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15223/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

With regard to the Deputy's question, which was accepted on transfer from the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, I should point out that I am not aware of any such correspondence regarding this case being received in my Department.

I have had inquiries made of the Midland Health Board on this matter and I have been advised that this applicant was assessed for domiciliary care allowance on 31 January 2001, with the first payment being made in March 2001 and backdated payments granted from 1 February 1999.

I understand that the board also paid a respite care grant of £300 retrospectively for the year 2000. I also understand that the applicant made contact with the board recently requesting that the respite care grant be paid for 1999. However, the board were unable to make this payment, as domiciliary care allowance recipients only became eligible for the respite care grant in 2000.