Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)
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Question 130: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for domiciliary care for children with autism in County Meath that have been received in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011; the number of applications that were processed and approved in each of the years; the number that were processed and denied in each of these years; the number of applications that were appealed in each of these years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11837/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Department has been accepting new claims for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) since 1st April 2009. Statistics relating to the allowance for the period prior to April 2009 are a matter for the HSE, the previous administrators of the scheme.

Statistics relating to the outcome of applications for children with specific disabilities or conditions in individual counties are not held. While statistics relating to specific disabilities are not routinely compiled, sample statistics for decisions relating to applications for children with autism were previously collated for the period 1st April 2009 to 31st March 2011. During this period, a total of 920 domiciliary care allowance applications were processed with a medical condition within the autism spectrum. Of these, 507 (55%) were deemed to satisfy the qualifying criteria, with 413 (45%) not satisfying the criteria.

This compared to 46% of general applications satisfying the qualifying conditions in the same period.

Autism Spectrum Disorder is treated in the same manner as other disabilities or conditions under the scheme. Qualification for the scheme is not based on the disability of the child, but on the level of additional care necessary because of that disability.

The overall number of applications for DCA that were received, awarded and refused in each year from April 2009 to end 2011 is set out in table 1 below. Details in relation to appeals are set out in table 2.

Table 1 - Domiciliary Care Allowance applications - April 2009 to 2011

* Includes cases initially disallowed but allowed on review following receipt of additional information.

Table 2 - Domiciliary Care Allowance Appeals - April 2009 to 2011