Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the consultation she has had with parents of children with autism or autistic spectrum disorder in relation to the domiciliary care allowance scheme; details of what this consultation involved; the meetings she attended with such parents parents' groups or support groups; any meetings her officials attended with such parents; parents' groups or support groups; the measures she will put in place to guarantee that the concerns of parents are to the fore of her policy review of the DCA scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31550/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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My officials have during the last eight 8 months met parents and advocacy groups on a number of occasions to discuss issues relating to the administration of the domiciliary care allowance (DCA) scheme. During the course of these meetings participants were provided with details of the processes that operate as part of the application, review and appeal elements of the scheme. The medical assessment process was outline in detail by the Chief Medical Assessor to both representatives from the Carers Association and Autism Ireland at meetings in recent months.

The review of the operation of the DCA scheme that I recently announced will commence shortly, the working group will include representatives from the Departments of Social Protection and other relevant Departments, as well as the National Disability Authority. It will also include representatives from organisations representing parents/guardians of children who are in receipt of the allowance. The review will examine the policy objectives and legal provisions underpinning the Scheme. In addition, it will review the Scheme's current administrative, medical assessment and appeals processes, including an examination of the duration of review periods for the Scheme.

As part of its work, the Group will research best practice in other countries and will have the Medical Guidelines and the Report of the Expert Medical Group, which underpin the operation of the Scheme, reviewed by a suitably qualified medical expert. As part of the review, a consultation process with parents and representative groups will be undertaken to ensure that parents and their representatives have an opportunity to make their concerns known in relation to the administration of the Scheme.