Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
406. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection if all applications for domiciliary care allowance are assessed by a medical assessor; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35808/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDomiciliary care allowance is payable in respect of children who have a severe disability resulting in the need for substantial extra care and attention compared to other children of the same age without that disability. Eligibility is determined on the additional care required by the child and not on the particular disability.
Before a decision is made on a domiciliary care allowance application, the deciding officer forwards the application in its entirety, including all the medical evidence supplied, to one of the Departments medical assessors for their professional opinion on the care needs resulting from the disability. The deciding officer, having received the opinion of the medical assessor, then examines the application in full before making a decision.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
