Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)
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109. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the changes that have been introduced in respect of the application process for domiciliary care allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17246/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The report of the review of the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) made a number of recommendations relating to the application, decision and appeal processes. These changes have been implemented from the 7^thApril 2014. The application form has been redesigned to allow the detail of the child’s care needs to be more comprehensively documented by the parent/guardian. Also, an additional medical information form can be completed for children with Pervasive Developmental Disorders, such as Autism. This additional medical information, which will be supplied by the specialist attending the child, will ensure that the appropriate information is available to assist in the decision making process. The revised application process will also include improved feedback in relation to the decision reasons at both application and appeal stages. Details on the new process along with revised guidelines covering the administrative changes are available on and have been notified to all Citizens Information Offices and to parent/guardian representative groups.