Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I suspect that having a child diagnosed with a disability is probably one of the more traumatic experiences for parents. At my constituency office, I have met the parents of young children who were recently diagnosed with autism. Subsequent to the assessment of disability, these people were informed with regard to their entitlements. They can avail of the incapacitated child tax credit, an entitlement to certain medical facilities and, with regard to autism, there is the domiciliary care allowance and home tuition. Every step of the way, these parents are being obliged to fight against the system in order to access the services to which they are supposed to be entitled.

In recent weeks, it has come to my attention and that of Deputy Stanton that there has been a change in the manner in which people's entitlement to domiciliary care allowance is adjudicated upon. The relevant figures give some cause for concern. For example, some 60% of the 249 applications reviewed under the new criteria were rejected. That is an extraordinarily high refusal rate. I am similarly concerned with regard to the relevant tax credit.

I hope that there has not been a change in Government policy. I also hope that restrictions have not been put in place with regard to people's entitlement to domiciliary care allowance. However, I am extremely concerned with regard to the way in which the new regime is being administered. I do not know, for example, whether this is purely an administrative issue which has not yet been brought to the attention of the Minister.

I implore the Government to reconsider the position with regard to the allowance in a generous manner. Those who need it are vulnerable people who are trying to survive in difficult times and they deserve our support in every possible and tangible way. Domiciliary care allowance is but one way in which we can provide them with practical assistance.

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