Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 January 2019
281. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of domiciliary care allowance applications received in 2018; the number refused and appealed, respectively to the social welfare appeals office; the number overturned by the appeals office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3527/19]
View answerThe number of applications for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) has more than doubled since 2012 when 4,079 applications were received. In 2018, a total of 8,609 applications were received representing a 5% increase on the 2017 figure.
The number of initial applications disallowed by a Deciding Officer in 2018 was 2,225.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office finalised 1,589 DCA cases in 2018. Of these, 957 were decided by an Appeals Officer, 590 were reviewed and revised by a Deciding Officer in DCA section, while a further 42 cases were either cancelled or withdrawn. Of the 957 cases decided by an Appeals Officer, a total of 686 were allowed and a further 13 partially allowed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
