Ms Helen Faughnan:

Applications under most of these schemes are processed in Longford, but we work very closely with the chief medical officer, Dr. Dev Singh, who informs us on our review policy. We also work closely with many of the NGO groups. Good work has been done in trying to communicate to parents and guardians and those claiming payments the information they need to provide for us.

Mr. McKeon mentioned the domiciliary care allowance. Over 75% of applications, a high percentage, for the allowance are awarded on first claim. This percentage is due to staff experience in decision-making within the Department and also to the work of the domiciliary care allowance implementation group which works with Family Carers' Ireland, Autism Ireland, DCA Warriors, etc. to gain a better understanding. The claim form was redesigned in order that parents and guardians would be able to specify accurately the level of care needed. This helps the deciding officer in the making of a claim.

As mentioned by Mr. McKeon, all of our medical assessors are fully qualified medical practitioners. Many of them possess specialised qualifications in fields such as general practice, psychiatry, occupational health, child health, etc. They have briefed some of our deciding officers to give them a better understanding of the nature of the cases presented to us for decision on a claim. We are looking at three schemes, the first of which is the invalidity pension scheme. In practice, most of the people who claim this pension payment are older. They are generally 50 years of age or older and have received the more severe diagnoses. The second scheme is the disability allowance scheme under which the allowance can be claimed at the age of 16 years. We do have younger customers with common conditions which, in some instances, with medical intervention, can improve over time.