Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1214. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the qualifying criteria for domiciliary care allowance has changed in relation to the medical assessment and review of caring needs for the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40155/22]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable to a parent/guardian in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. This level of care and attention must be required to allow the child to deal with the routine activities of daily living. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months. Eligibility for DCA is determined primarily by reference to the degree of ongoing additional care and attention required by the child rather than the child's disability.
There have not been any changes to the qualifying criteria in relation to the medical assessment and review of caring needs for DCA.
Applications for DCA are decided by a deciding officer on an individual case by case basis. Consideration is given to the details provided by the applicant on the completed application form (Dom Care 1) including the signed details from the applicant's GP on this form, along with any additional information or documentary evidence that is provided by the applicant, such as medical professional report(s), forms the basis for the DCA application assessment and decision process. In addition, the Deciding Officer in making a decision on an application for DCA also considers the opinion of a Departmental medical assessor.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
