Ms Helen Faughnan:

In quite a number of the claims that are received, the child has a disability. That claim is considered in the round. In particular, focus is on the care supplied by the parent or guardian. That is what we have moved on in consultation with many of the representative groups, enabling the care provider to outline the care in detail. The carer keeps a care diary. This has allowed us to improve the quality of the decisions. More than 75% of applications are awarded at first claim stage. The qualifying age for the scheme used to be for a child aged two years and upwards. It is now from once the child is born.

There could be a premature child who needs a substantial amount of care but whose condition improves over time. As such, there are cases that should be subject to review. With the implementation group, we are working out a process that is fair and consistent. The reviews were suspended because a number of judicial review cases had been taken against the Department. In effect, we were putting our efforts and energies into processing claims as quickly as possible.