Domiciliary care allowance, or DCA, is paid in addition to the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs child benefit. Recipients of DCA also qualify for the respite care grant, which in 2003 will amount to €735 where there is one DCA recipient in a family and €1,470 where there are two or more DCA recipients in a family.
I should point out that the rate of DCA increases each year in line with social welfare increases. DCA was increased from €179.80 to €188.90, effective from 1 January 2003. There are no plans to increase that rate further in 2003.
My Department, in conjunction with the national health board working group on disability-related allowances, in July 2002, implemented the revised circulars on the various allowances or grants, including DCA, operated by my Department. The revised circulars have been effective in standardising administration procedures for those allowances.
The national health board working group on disability-related allowances, in its submission to my Department, recommended the establishment of a medical review group to examine the medical eligibility criteria for the various allowances or grants, including DCA. I have recently received nominations for the medical review group from the health boards chief executive group, and I envisage that the medical review group will commence in early 2004.
Question No. 139 answered with Question No. 77.