Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 135: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to the review of the domiciliary care allowance promised, the measures she will put in place to ensure that the same number of persons are not refused access to the DCA in the first instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28053/12]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 143: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she is familiar with the scoring system operated in Queensland Australia for the assessment of applications for their equivalent to domiciliary care allowance; and if she has considered adapting it for use in the Irish context. [28032/12]

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Social Protection when she expects her Department's policy review of the domiciliary care allowance to conclude; the person who is heading up this work; the process including the nature of consultation that has and will be undertaken. [28033/12]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Question 155: To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to the promised review of the domiciliary care allowance, the measures she will put in place to ensure that the same number of persons are not refused access to the DCA in the first instance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28054/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 143, 146 and 155 together.

The domiciliary care allowance (DCA) scheme has been administered by the Department since April 2009. As the Deputies are aware, it 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 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. Each application is assessed on an individual basis taking account of all the evidence submitted.

Recently I announced that a policy review of the operation of the scheme is to be carried out over the coming months. This will look, amongst other things, at the current application and assessment process and identify any potential improvements to the delivery of service to customers that can be implemented while retaining an efficient and effective operational model. The terms of reference for the review and the appointment of a chairperson are being finalised at present and I will be making announcements in this regard shortly.

In terms of consultation, the Deputies should note that officials from the Department have met parents and representatives of advocacy groups on a number of occasions in recent months. I would envisage that a consultation process will be a key part of the forthcoming review.

The Australian assessment process referred to by the Deputy is known to officials in the Department. As part of the upcoming review, the format of the application and assessment process used in the DCA scheme will be examined to ensure it best meets the needs of customers and the Department.

I want to assure the Deputies that I am committed to ensuring that those children who meet the conditions for the DCA scheme will continue to receive the payment.