Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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227. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for DCA in the case of a person (details supplied) can be re-examined on the basis of the strong medical evidence already provided; if arrangements can be put in place for an oral hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54118/22]

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 ongoing continual or continuous care and attention substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age and the child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 consecutive months.

An application for DCA in respect of their child was received from the person concerned on 24 August 2022. A deciding officer did not allow their claim as per decision dated 29 September 2022, as their child was not considered to satisfy the conditions for DCA, based on the information, including the medical evidence, that was provided by the person concerned in their application.

To date, the person concerned has not provided any new or additional information or evidence for further consideration. The Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO) has also confirmed that there is no record of a request for an appeal of this decision.

However, on foot of your request for a re-examination of their application, a full review of their application and the Department's decision will be completed by a deciding officer, based on the details that were provided in their completed application form (Dom Care 1), including the signed details from their GP on this form along with all other information and medical evidence that was provided by the person concerned in their application of 24 August 2022. Once the review is completed, the person concerned will be notified directly in writing of the review decision.

A request for an appeal on behalf of the person concerned has also been sent by the Department via email, to the independent SWAO on 25 October 2022.

An Appeals Officer may make a decision based on the written appeal submission and evidence only, or the person concerned may be invited to attend an oral hearing. Alternatively, the person concerned may request an oral hearing in the appeal process.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.