Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing us to raise the issue of the domiciliary care allowance. I welcome the review of the scheme because it is what parents and Deputies on all sides of this House have been seeking. It is clear that the current system is not working for many families. Officials can hide behind statistics but the parents who protest outside the gates or visit us in our clinics know that something has gone wrong.

It was politically courageous of the Minister, Deputy Burton, to heed the calls by parents and groups like the DCA Warriors by announcing a review. However, I ask for more detail on what the review will entail. It is vital that it starts from an acknowledgement that the current system needs to be overhauled rather than being seen as a box ticking exercise. I note that the Minister will appoint three representatives from NGOs to the review body. How are these representatives to be selected? It is vital that parents are allowed to play a key role. I draw Members' attention to the work of the DCA Warriors, the members of which are warriors for their children's rights.

The Secretary General of the Department of Social Protection gave a commitment to the Committee on Public Accounts that no family would lose its domiciliary care allowance while the review is ongoing. In other words, payments will not be ceased until the policy review is complete. I ask for clarification on this commitment. When will the process be concluded? Yesterday the Minister referred to consultations with parents. What mechanism will be used for the consultation process?

See this speech in context