Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 2001

Vol. 546 No. 5

Written Answers. - Hospital Services.

John Perry

Question:

147 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will examine the case of a person (details supplied) in County Sligo and have the person called for treatment in Sligo General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32198/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for the provision of hospital services to residents of County Sligo rests with the North-Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer of the health board to investigate the position in relation to this case and to reply to the Deputy directly.

Charles Flanagan

Question:

148 Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in relation to a circular issued in March 2001 from his Department regarding the modification of eligibility for domiciliary care allowance, payment will be backdated to the date of birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32200/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

Domiciliary care allowance was introduced by way of circular 24/73 and is administered by the health boards on my behalf. The guidelines were modified by way of circular 8/78 and letters of 8 December 1999 and 16 March 2001. 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 of payment is £129.40, 164.30, per month. This rate will increase to 179.80 per month, with effect from 1 January 2002.

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 apro 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 require ment that the disability must have been present for 6 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.

Occasionally payments may be backdated prior to the date of application if it is clear that the applicant was not aware of his/her entitlement. In these cases payment of the allowance may be backdated to the date that the child would have become eligible, if the applicant had been aware of his/her entitlement.