Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2022
368. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons who were refused the domiciliary carers allowance annually in each county since 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33420/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child , aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care for at least 12 months.
The following table shows the number of applicants who were refused DCA annually since 2017. The Department does not collate the requested data broken down by county.
|
Year |
DCA Claims disallowed during year |
|
2017 |
2,187 |
|
2018 |
2,225 |
|
2019 |
2,875 |
|
2020 |
2,639 |
|
2021 |
2,468 |
|
2022 to date |
1,835 |
It is important to note that any decision of a Deciding Officer can be revised if new or additional information if provided. This can result in several reviews being carried out on a single application and several disallowances being counted against a decision which is then ultimately allowed.
I would encourage all people who apply for Domiciliary Care Allowance, or other Social Welfare payments, to provide as much information as possible with their application so that their claim can be decided at the earliest date possible.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
