Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is important. One or two of the cases I am aware of will have to come to this scenario.

I have a question on domiciliary care allowance. This is very difficult to navigate for the simple reason that it is a subjective opinion of the Department as to whether a child is categorised as having a serious illness, apart from obvious illnesses. If an autism assessment is required, we have long waiting lists in most cases. Domiciliary care allowance is not being granted because the assessment has not been carried out. I have received a reply to a parliamentary question that states it is not a prerequisite but, to be fair, I find it to be a prerequisite. Much of the time the allowance is refused on the basis of an assessment of need not being carried out or the parent is waiting for the assessment of need. Is there is discretion in the Department?