Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2018
1039. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for domiciliary care allowance, DCA, will be backdated to the date of the original application by a person (details supplied). [44892/18]
View answerThe Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) claim has been finalised in this case. The person concerned was notified on the 17th October 2018 that, following a review of the Appeals Officer's decision, DCA was awarded for the period from the 1st July 2016 up to 31st December 2017, when the child reached 16 years of age. Arrears due for the period 1st July 2016 to 1st June 2017 will issue on the 20th November 2018 to the nominated post office. Arrears in respect of the period from 1st July 2017 to 31st December 2017 were already issued on the 18th September 2018.
Child Benefit may be extended in respect of children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education, or on medical grounds, if, by reason of physical or intellectual disability, they are incapable of self-support and likely to remain incapable for a prolonged period. The advice of the Department’s Chief Medical Advisor (CMA) is sought in certain cases to decide if the child’s medical condition causes them to fit within this definition.
The person concerned submitted a claim for extended Child Benefit for the named child on the 2nd of August, and the claim was referred to the CMA. Further medical evidence was requested by the CMA on the 14th August, which following communication with the person concerned was forwarded to the CMA for consideration on the 24th October. Once an opinion is received from the CMA, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified accordingly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
