Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022

Tuesday, 5 July 2022

Ceisteanna (404)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

404. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for domiciliary care allowance with ASD as a primary diagnosis that were refused in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; the number of those applications that were appealed for each of those years; the number that were successful on review for those years; the number that were successful on appeal for those years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35806/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Social Protection

Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required by a child rather than the child's disability. DCA applications are decided by a deciding officer on an individual case by case basis, while also considering the opinion of a Departmental medical assessor.

While statistics on overall awards and refusals are available, information on awards or refusals in relation to particular medical conditions is not routinely collated. It should also be noted that children can have multiple diagnoses.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.