Manus Boyle (Fine Gael)

I raise an issue that is causing real hardship for families, namely, the filling out of the domiciliary care application forms. These forms are far too long and technical. A couple of families who contacted me in County Donegal described the process as overwhelming. One mother told me she spent weeks gathering and filling out paperwork only to have her application rejected. Nothing changed on her appeal but it was granted. This is crazy. Parents feel they are begging for an allowance to which they are rightly entitled. These families are exhausted caring for children with significant needs. They should not have to fight for access to essential supports to which they should be entitled. The stress and anxiety this is causing are unacceptable. We need to be supporting these people. They are saving the country a fortune by looking after people with special needs.

I urge the Minister for Social Protection to review and simplify the forms, provide clear guidance and ensure families can receive assistance when filling out these forms. One mother said she spent two weeks gathering information and filling out this form and there was nobody to help her. She is looking after her child at the same time. Surely, we can put something in place when these forms come out. I saw one of them. They are so long and technical. Somebody should be available to give a hand to the mother or father to fill out these forms and take the stress out of this.