Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I raise the matter of the payment of domiciliary care allowances in County Westmeath. Perhaps this pertains to many other counties but I am dealing with the problems in County Westmeath. Apparently, the position is that domiciliary care allowance claims received in the latter part of 2005 are being assessed and the waiting time for a decision is at least 18 months. Nobody can understand why it is taking so many months for a decision.

Many people are waiting for this payment, principally mothers with children who require particular care — that is the reason for the domiciliary care allowance. It is a very useful payment because often a mother must get somebody into the home if she has to go somewhere or special materials must be provided. It is scandalous that people must wait a year and half to be assessed as to their suitability to be granted the domiciliary care allowance. I am not blaming the Minister of State but the system. That is the nub of the problem.

A medical assessment must take place but surely it should not take 18 months to decide if a child is eligible and for the parent or guardian to be given the domiciliary care allowance. I told those with whom I spoke that I would raise this issue in the House because I was quite gobsmacked, to put it mildly, that it should take 18 months for a decision.

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I thank Senator O'Rourke for raising this matter on the Adjournment which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, and for outlining the position in regard to the domiciliary care allowance.

The domiciliary care allowance is a monthly allowance administered by the Health Service Executive and may be paid in respect of eligible children from birth to the age of 16 who have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age. The condition must be likely to last for at least one year. Where medical confirmation is supplied which pre-dates the actual date of application and the Health Service Executive's senior area medical officer is satisfied that the child required continual or continuous care and attention, substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age, then payment may be made from the date the senior area medical officer is satisfied that such additional care and attention was required.

Eligibility for domiciliary care allowance is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required by the child rather than to the type of disability involved, subject to the means test. It is a matter for the HSE medical officer in the relevant community care area to decide whether or not a child qualifies for domiciliary care allowance on medical grounds.

The current rate of payment for domiciliary care allowance which came into effect on 1 January 2007 is €281.30 per month.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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People cannot get it.

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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This is an increase of 12.1% on the rate of payment since June 2006. Recipients of domiciliary care allowance also receive a respite care grant payment during the first week of June each year. The rate of payment for 2007 will be €1,500. This is an increase of 25% on the rate of payment since 2006.

In regard to the current situation in the Longford-Westmeath local health office area, I understand that the post of principal medical officer was vacant for some time and this resulted in a considerable backlog of applications for domiciliary care allowance. I have been informed that this post has now been filled and the principal medical officer is endeavouring to clear this backlog as quickly as possible.

At present the area medical staff providing services in the Longford-Westmeath local health office area are also involved in dealing with the provision of immunisation services, nursing home inspections and child health assessments. The Health Service Executive is currently engaged in a recruitment process for two additional senior medical officers for the Longford-Westmeath area to ensure adequate service provision in the local health office area and to deal with outstanding applications for allowances and other services.

I appreciate the problems raised by Senator O'Rourke. The position is certainly not satisfactory. I will try to ensure the senior medical officer is appointed as quickly as possible. I understand the allowance can be backdated following examination of the application. I know that answer is not satisfactory for the parents whom Senator O'Rourke represents but it is an administrative problem.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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With the Acting Chairman's permission, I wish to ask a supplementary question. The Minister of State stated that the position of principal medical officer has been filled. Is that correct?

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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That is correct.

Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)
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I am aware the Minister of State may be unable to give me the details this evening. However, can his office inform me tomorrow as to when it is anticipated the 18-month backlog will be cleared? The Minister of State has stated he understands this can be backdated. If parents or guardians are found to be eligible for domiciliary care, will it be backdated to the date of application for the domiciliary care allowance?

My main request is to be supplied with this information tomorrow as I will attend a meeting of the parents in question tomorrow night. I wish to know by tomorrow when the principal medical officer believes he will have the backlog cleared. Can the Minister of State let my office know by tomorrow?

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I will try to get the information for the Senator tomorrow.