Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 362: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the average timeframe it takes to process applications for domiciliary care allowance; the percentage of applications for domiciliary care allowance that are rejected. [26767/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Currently, the average time to process an application for Domiciliary Care Allowance from receipt to decision is 7 weeks. In terms of the percentage of cases that are rejected, in 2009, the refusal rate on new applications at initial decision stage was 63%, in 2010 it was 61% and, in 2011, it was 62%.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Question 363: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of families in receipt of domiciliary care allowance this year in comparison with the previous years 2010 and 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26768/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There were 24,148 parents/guardians in receipt of Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) in respect of 25,924 children at 30th April 2012. This compares to:

· 24,101 parents/guardians in receipt of DCA in respect of 25,914 children on 31st December 2011; and

· 23,428 parents/guardians in respect of 25,234 children on 31st December 2010.

Ann Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Labour)
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Question 364: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the current rate of refusals in respect of domiciliary care allowance applications within her Department; if it is higher than average and if so, the reasons her Department attribute to such a rate of refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26774/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The refusal rate in respect of the initial decisions on new domiciliary care allowance (DCA) applications in the period February to April 2012 was 60%. This refusal rate is consistent to that of previous years.

In 2009, the refusal rate on new applications was 63%, in 2010 it was 61% and in 2011 it was 62%. The most common reason for disallowance is a failure to meet the medical criteria for the scheme.

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 365: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the date on which her Department received an application for carer's allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in processing this application; the steps she will take to expedite the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26778/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I confirm that an application for carer's allowance was received from the person in question on 26 October 2011. On completion of the necessary investigations relating to all aspects of her case a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

The average time taken to process a claim for carer's allowance through to completion is circa 28 weeks at present.