Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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152. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reason a child (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of whom a domiciliary care allowance was awarded in 2008 is now not regarded as a qualified child, in view of the fact that the child's medical condition has deteriorated over the years; when a decision will be received on a domiciliary care allowance for a second child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9872/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned was in receipt of domiciliary care allowance for one child until January 2014 when the entitlement ended as the family left the State. Having returned to reside in Ireland, they re-applied for the allowance in respect of this child on the 30th October 2014. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 3rd February 2015 advising of the decision.

An application for domiciliary care allowance was also received on the 30th October 2014 in respect of a second child. The application was not allowed as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for the allowance. A letter issued on the 3rd February 2015 advising of the decision.

In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the decision to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within twenty one days.

The person concerned subsequently lodged an appeal against these decisions. As part of the appeal process, the cases have been forwarded to another of the Department’s Medical Assessors for further consideration, including a review of any new information supplied.

Upon receipt of the Medical Assessor’s opinion, the cases will be further examined by a deciding officer, who will revise the original decision if warranted or alternatively, forward the case for consideration by the Appeals Office.