Vol. 545 No. 3
122 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Health and Children if a domiciliary care allowance approved for a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny in November 2000 by the South-Eastern Health Board is payable from the date of birth or from the time of the medical diagnosis; the reason for the delay in responding to the query; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30333/01]
Domiciliary care allowance, DCA, was introduced by way of Circular 24/73 and is administered by the health boards on my behalf. DCA is paid in respect of children under 16 years who are severely physically or mentally disabled and who require constant care and supervision at home substantially greater than that which would normally be required by a child of the same age. The current rate payment is £129.40, 164.30, per month, effective from 1 April 2001.
The Deputy will be aware that the following changes to the DCA scheme were announced in the budget on 6 December 2000 and came into effect from 1 April 2001; the introduction of a pro rata payment in respect of periods spent at home, e.g., weekends and holidays, by eligible children who normally reside in special schools or institutions; and the abolition of the DCA requirement that the disability must have been present for six months prior to the date of application. From 1 April 2001 children may become eligible from birth. The allowance is now payable with effect from the date of application. Responsibility for the assessment of entitlement to and payment of the domiciliary care allowance in any individual case rests with the South-Eastern Health Board. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and reply directly to him.
