Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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387. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of applications for domiciliary care grants in the past three years; the number of applications refused in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30973/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment made in respect of a child with a severe disability who requires additional care and attention. It is payable to the person providing for the child's care at a rate of €309.50 per month. In addition, a Carers Support Grant of €1,700 is payable in respect of all children on DCA in June of each year.

Detail on the claims received in each of the last three years and the numbers refused at first decision are set out in the table below;

It should be noted that many of the customers whose claims are refused subsequently submit additional information on the care needs of their children and request a review or an appeal of the first decision.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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388. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of appeals of refusals of domiciliary care grants in the past three years; the number of applications that were awarded following appeal in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30974/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

The statistics required by the Deputy in relation to domiciliary care allowance appeals are set out in the attached table.

Appeals which had a favourable outcome for the person concerned consist of appeals which were either allowed in full or in part by an Appeals Officer, or which were resolved by way of a revised decision in favour of the person concerned by a Deciding Officer or Designated Person.

There are a number of reasons why a decision which was refused at first instance might be successful on appeal and it is not necessarily the case that the first decision was incorrect. It is often the case that new evidence is provided with an appeal and that, as a result, the original decision may be revised by the Deciding Officer or Designated Person.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Appeal receipts and outcomes 2017-2020