Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will ensure that a domiciliary care allowance is awarded to a person (details supplied) without further delay. [53780/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is payable in respect of a child aged under 16, who has a severe disability or condition and requires continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of that required by a child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months. Eligibility for DCA is determined primarily by reference to the degree of ongoing additional care and attention required by the child rather than the child's disability.

An application for DCA was received from the person concerned in respect of their child on 6 July 2022. A deciding officer disallowed the claim on 22 August 2022 because the child was not considered to satisfy the qualifying conditions for DCA.

The person concerned requested a review of the Department's decision.

The further documentary evidence and new information, including the family impact statement and the daily diary that was subsequently provided by the person concerned in support of their review request, is currently awaiting an assessment by a Departmental medical assessor. Once this assessment is complete, a full review of the application will be undertaken by a deciding officer and the person concerned will be notified in writing of the review decision.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.