Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)

I am taking question No. 78 on behalf of Deputy Ardagh.

She has been called to another meeting in her constituency.

I want to raise the issue of the high rejection rates for the domiciliary care allowance, DCA, applications. Families caring for children with disabilities are under immense pressure and when these applications are refused, it adds enormous emotional and financial strain. Almost one in three applications are being turned down, with many only succeeding on appeal. A considerable number of the rejected applications are being overturned on appeal. I recognise, however, the decreased waiting times for appeals.

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