Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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228. To ask the Minister for Social Protection with regard to the domiciliary care allowance if she will provide a breakdown for 2013, 2014 and to date in 2015 of the number of applicants whose children suffer from Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, hyper mobility type; the number of these applications that were granted or refused; the criteria used to assess the severity of the condition in determining eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20597/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is paid in respect of children who have a severe disability requiring care and attention substantially in excess of that needed by a child of the same age without the disability. The need for the additional care and attention must be likely to last for at least 12 months.

Eligibility for DCA is not based on the type of disability, but on the resultant care needs. Each application is assessed on its individual merits and on the basis of the medical evidence and the detail on the child’s care needs, as provided in the application and supporting documentation.

Statistics relating to the numbers of children by particular medical condition is not routinely collated. As a result, a figure for the number of children affected by Ehler Danlos Syndrome is not available.