Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 56: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the qualifying criteria for the domiciliary care allowance in order that a child who has been diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger's syndrome and dyslexia may receive payment for domiciliary care allowance. [12129/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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. This care and attention must be given by another person, effectively full-time so that the child can deal with the activities of daily living. 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. No disability automatically qualifies or disqualifies a child for the allowance. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of the evidence submitted.

In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor specially designated for this task. Where a person is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer they may appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.