Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I hear the concerns they raise. I had one case in my constituency office of a child who had been diagnosed from birth with a particular disorder but the medical evidence did not stack up and they did not get the disability allowance. They were moving from domiciliary care to disability care but they did not get it. They did not provide the information. I told them they would have to go back to their specialist and get a letter. They said they would not go back. They said that what they had supplied should have been sufficient. Unfortunately, as we all know, doctors differ. I will certainly take on board what the Deputies have and I am happy to take a look at it.

Applicants should not withhold information in order to have additional information to submit if they need to appeal. They must not do that. Submit all of the information in the first instance. Sometimes the medical information is not sufficient and they must go back to get more information. A lot of the cases are actually granted on appeal. I would say to all applicants to submit as much information as possible with the initial claim and I ask all public representatives to do the same. The Department is also working closely with the advocacy groups, including the DCA Warriors and Carers Ireland to review and change its application forms. If the Deputies have any ideas they would like to give to me, I will be happy to take them.

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