Sean Fleming
Question:223 Mr. Fleming asked the Minister for Health and Children if the payment of domiciliary care allowance will be backdated to the date of birth in the case of children with autism in the Midland Health Board Region. [4151/02]
Written Answers. - Health Board Allowances.
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 eligible children from the date of application up to the age of 16 years whose disability is so severe that they require constant care and attention which is considerably in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The allowance is not paid in respect of children maintained on a full time basis in special-residential institutions. However, the allowance may be paid on a pro rata basis for the number of nights spent at home, for example, weekends or holidays, by eligible children who attend special-residential institutions. The current rate of payment is €179.80 per month from 1 January 2002.
To be eligible to receive this allowance applicants must satisfy the following conditions: be under 16 years of age; the disability must be present at the time of the application and be likely to persist for at least a year; and the disability must be so severe that they require from another person constant care or supervision, that is, continual or continuous care or supervision substantially greater than that which would normally be required by a child of the same age.
It should be noted that the circular points out, inter alia, that:
The fact that a severe handicap is present does not automatically justify the payment of an allowance . . . It is not intended that the Scheme should apply to short-term illnesses or disabilities – the handicap must be present at the time of application, have been present for at least six months prior to that date, and be likely to continue for at least one year. It is not visualised that any particular condition should be debarred from consideration – each case can be considered on its merits . . .
The constant care or supervision must be provided by the parents themselves or by arrangement by them with another person or persons.
Only the means of the child should be taken into account in determining eligibility for an allowance – the means of the parents should not be considered. Means in this context include payments of compensation, following a court action or otherwise, in respect of injuries or disabilities sustained.
The assessment of entitlement to DCA in any individual case is a matter for the relevant health board. If the Deputy is aware of any particular case in the Midland Health Board that may require examination, please forward the details to me and I will ask the chief executive officer of the board to investigate the matter.