Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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418. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an urgent review will be carried out of application for a domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) given the ongoing medical requirements of their son; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35960/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment to the parent/guardian of a child with a disability so severe that the child requires care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age.  This care and attention must be provided to allow the child to deal with the activities of daily living.  The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. 

An application DCA from the person concerned in respect of their child on 22 October 2021.  A Deciding Officer disallowed the claim on 31 January 2022, as the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for DCA.  The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision, the reasons for it and of their right of review and appeal.

The person concerned has not submitted any new or additional information or evidence to date for consideration and there is no record of a request for an appeal of this decision.  The person concerned may request a review of this decision and should forward any new or additional information or documentary evidence that was not previously available to the Department for consideration.  A full review of the decision will be completed by a deciding officer on receipt of this information.

I wish to advise that it is also open to the person concerned to contact the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) at 0818 747474 or swappeals@welfare.ie to see if it is possible to request a late appeal.  The person concerned would be required to outline why she did not appeal the decision within 21 days of the outcome of the decision of 31 January 2022.  The Appeals Office would then decide if a late appeal will be accepted.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.