Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34658/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child, aged under 16 with a severe disability who requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.

An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned on 26 May 2022.

Processing times for DCA new applications are currently 10 weeks approximately.

The person concerned will be notified in writing, once a decision has been finalised.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) who has recently been approved for domiciliary care allowance payment can have this payment backdated to the date of diagnosis. [34675/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability who requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially over and above the level of care and attention usually required by a child of the same age.

Where an application for DCA is awarded, payment is effective from the first of the month following receipt of the application. However DCA applications may be backdated in cases, where good cause for the delay in making a claim can be shown to the satisfaction of a deciding officer or an appeals officer. This backdating period is governed by social welfare legislation and cannot exceed 6 months. The onus is on all applicants to apply for DCA when they consider that they and their child meet the qualifying conditions for the payment.

An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned in November 2021. Their application was awarded and backdated 6 months, (effective from 1 June 2021) which is the maximum period allowable as provided for under social welfare legislation. Backdating of payment was allowed, as provided for under legislation following consideration of the evidence provided by the person concerned relating to the good cause for not making an earlier application.

The person concerned has been notified of this decision and their right of review and/or appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.