Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 333: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the criteria used to determine eligibility for domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26248/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In order to qualify for Domiciliary Care Allowance a child must have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance is not based primarily on the medical or psychological condition, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind necessitating the degree of extra care and attention required. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.

In the case in question an application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received on the 16th July 2009. This application was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child did not meet the medical criteria for Domiciliary Care Allowance. A letter issued on 19th September 2009 to advise of the decision to refuse Domiciliary Care Allowance. The person in question lodged an appeal of the decision with the Social Welfare Appeals Office. On 14th April 2010 she was informed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that her appeal had been disallowed.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 334: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason an application for the continuation of the domiciliary care allowance was refused in respect of a person (details supplied). [26263/10]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance can be paid in respect of children under 16 years of age who have a disability so severe that it requires the child needing care and attention substantially in excess of the care and attention normally required by a child of the same age. In the case in question the child reached sixteen years of age in December 2009.