Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

I want to discuss what is happening in terms of numbers. Some 55% of the claims for children with autism-related conditions were allowed from 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2011. These statistics are based on a total of 920 DCA applications processed during that period, with a stated medical condition within the autism spectrum. Of these, 507 were deemed to satisfy the qualifying criteria, and 413, or 45%, were deemed ineligible. Approximately 46% of all claimants are awarded the allowance. The success rate does not vary significantly between claims relating to an intellectual disability and those relating to a physical disability. This must be emphasised in the context of the Deputy's concern that children with an autism spectrum problem may be dealt with differently from other children whose parents submit claims.

The Department took over the scheme in 2009, before which the eligibility criteria were set out in a circular from the Department of Health and Children. The medical criteria, as set out in the circular, referred to children with a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The medical criteria in the Social Welfare Act are almost exactly the same. There were no agreed national guidelines for the scheme when it was under the Department of Health and Children and the HSE. An expert medical group was established when the scheme was being transferred to the Department of Social Protection. The primary purpose was to set out consistent and objective guidelines for use nationally in determining the eligibility of children for the scheme. The assessment structure developed from the recommendations of that group.

If at the time of a child's assessment there is a recommendation to award an domiciliary care allowance, a review date is often indicated by the medical examiner. I presume the review's appropriateness is based on his or her medical expertise related to the condition the child presents with. The structure is in place. While I appreciate what the Deputy is saying about families being concerned, we are not treating children with an autism spectrum disability differently from others. The circumstances of children who qualify at a certain age for the allowance may improve or change. The expert medical group gave advice on the structure.

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