Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 284: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons currently in receipt of domiciliary care allowance; the number in receipt of this payment as of 1 November 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14146/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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On 1 November 2011, there were 23,932 parents/guardians in receipt of domiciliary care allowance (DCA) in respect some 25,800 children. On 29 February 2012, the number of parents/guardians had increased to 24,101 with payment being made in respect of some 26,000 children.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 285: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will stop the review of the domiciliary care allowance, reinstate payments for these children, and review the overall process for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14153/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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A review policy is an integral part of all social welfare schemes and is necessary to ensure that payments continue to be made only to those customers who meet the qualifying conditions.

Domiciliary care allowance (DCA) cases are routinely reviewed to ensure that all the conditions for receipt of the payment continue to be met. Cases are reviewed based on either a scheduled review following a recommendation of one of the Department's medical assessors when the claim is initially processed or on the basis of information received about a change of circumstances which potentially affects the continued entitlement of a case already in payment. Scheduled reviews, on the recommendation of the medical assessor, are based on the prognosis of the child's disability and how their care requirements may change over time.

There are no plans to discontinue these routine reviews. Any customer who has had their case reviewed and is not happy with the outcome has the right to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals office.

The DCA scheme is regularly examined to ensure its effective on-going operation and to ensure that only those customers who have children who meet the conditions for the scheme continue to receive the payment.

I have recently announced changes to the timeframe for the return of completed review documentation. From now on, customers will have 60 days in which to return the completed review form and supporting documentation. Customers will also be informed when their payment is initially being awarded, of the review date that will apply in their case. This will address customer concerns on the time frame allowed and will provide them with additional time to gather supporting documentation or medical reports they may wish to submit in advance of the review date.