Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 October 2004
138 Mr. Stagg asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she has declared that Asperger’s syndrome is a qualifying disability for the payment of domiciliary care allowance; if this has been notified to all chief medical officers in the health boards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26527/04]
View answerDomiciliary care allowance, DCA, is a monthly allowance administered by health boards and may be paid in respect of eligible children from birth to the age of 16 who have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention, which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The condition must be likely to last for at least one year. Eligibility is determined primarily by reference to the additional care and attention required by the child rather than to the type of disability involved, subject to a means test. While no condition is debarred, conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy are not normally considered unless significant additional care and attention required. It is a matter for the senior area medical officer or other designated medical officer in the relevant community care area to decide whether a child qualifies for DCA on medical grounds.
