Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I confirm the DCA eligibility review programme will not recommence until the implications of the judgment are clarified. The review is required under social welfare law by the Comptroller and Auditor General and by the Committee of Public Accounts. We must carry out regular reviews of all our schemes and everything in the Department. That is the context for the review.

The review programme will not commence until we have clarified the understanding of the implications of the judgment. The difference, which we have worked on with parents and guardians, is that when the review programme recommences they will get three months advance notice of their child's review to enable them to prepare documentation or an opinion, or whatever is required for the review. When this time elapses, they will get a form to complete and will have another two months in which to complete and return it to the Department. This is being done to facilitate the provision of additional medical information which will, I assume, be supplied by the specialist who attends the child. This will ensure that, as far as possible, the appropriate information is available to assist in the decision-making process, as the Deputy asked.

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