Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 100: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the number of children with type one diabetes nationally on a county basis whose parents are in receipt of domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4394/08]

Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly allowance administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE). The allowance 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. Eligibility is determined primarily by reference to the degree of additional care and attention required by the child, as assessed by the Health Service Executive's Senior Medical Officer, rather than the nature of the disability/illness involved. While no condition is excluded, children with conditions such as asthma, diabetes or epilepsy are not automatically considered eligible for the allowance unless there is a very degree of additional care and attention required by the child compared to that normally required by a child of the same age.

The specific information sought in the Deputy's question relates to the management and delivery of health and personal services, which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to arrange to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy.