Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of her policy review of the domiciliary care allowance scheme; the membership of this review group; the terms of reference of the review; the number of times the review group has met; when the review group is next scheduled to meet; the way interested parties can make submissions to the review group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38847/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The review of the operation of the domiciliary care allowance scheme, announced to the house in May 2012, has commenced and is progressing according to plan.

The membership of the group under the chair, Ms. Sylda Langford, is comprised of representatives from the Department of Social Protection, other relevant Departments/public bodies, an expert with relevant experience in the area and four parent/advocacy group representatives.

The group has met on two occasions to date with the next meeting due to be held in October.

An advertisement, inviting submissions from interested parties, was published in the national press on the 20th August. In addition every recipient of DCA was written to and advised of the scheme review and afforded the opportunity to contribute to the work of the group by making a submission on any relevant issues. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 28th September.

The terms of reference for the group are as follows:

1. Examine and report on the policy objectives and legal provisions underpinning the DCA scheme;

2. Review the current administrative, medical assessment and appeals processes underpinning the scheme, including an examination of the duration of review periods for the scheme based on the medical condition of the children involved and taking account of other priority demands on the medical resources of the Department;

3. Review the Medical Guidelines and the Report of Expert Medical Group having regard to the 3 years operational experience since they were introduced;

4. Liaise with the Advisory Group on Tax and Welfare in the context of their review of DA/DCA issues and incorporate any relevant findings into the administrative arrangements for the DCA scheme;

5. In light of the foregoing, consider whether any legislative changes are required in relation to the scheme and whether the current administrative, medical assessment and appeals processes need further refinement to meet the overall policy objectives of the scheme; and

6. Make recommendations to the Minister for Social Protection by end December 2012 on the basis of these findings.