Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 July 2010
437 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when the relevant papers in the appeal of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will be referred to the appeals officer; the estimated time within which such a response is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29312/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) was received on the 26th February 2010 from the person in question. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for DCA.
A letter issued to the person in question on the 23rd April 2010 where she was advised of the decision to refuse DCA. 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 or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days.
In this case the applicant submitted additional medical information in respect of her claim. The Department forwarded this to the Social Welfare Appeals Office and they have registered an appeal. As part of the appeal process, the application will be reviewed by a Medical Assessor who will take the new medical information into consideration. If the result of the medical review is that the child is not considered eligible for DCA, the file will be submitted to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for decision.
