Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2009
399 Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason an application for domiciliary care allowance was refused in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare and what appeal mechanism is now available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43020/09]
View answerIn order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.
An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received by the Department on 23rd June 2009. This application was referred to one of the Departments Medical Assessors who found that the child in question was not medically eligible for Domiciliary Care Allowance.
A letter issued to the person in question on 7th August 2009, in which she was advised of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance on medical grounds. In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor specially designated for this task.
Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. No request for review or appeal has been received to date.
