FF criticises heavy-handed review of Domiciliary Care Allowance

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Social Protection Barry Cowen has criticised the heavy-handed review of the Domiciliary Care Allowance, which has led to 193 children with serious disabilities losing their payments.

The Government reviewed the 402 cases last year and cut the Domiciliary Care Allowance for almost half of these children.

Deputy Cowen commented, “The Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment of €309.50 to the parent or carer of a child with a disability so severe that they require extra attention above that of another child the same age.  The families of 193 of these children have now suddenly been told that they will no longer receive the payment.  Most of these are children with autism over the age of 4. There is no doubt that they need extra care and supervision compared to other children of their age.

“This was a blunt and heavy-handed review. The process did not include any face-to-face assessment of the children affected, so officials had no first-hand knowledge of the care they required. The review also ignored medical evidence of the children’s conditions, and the evidence from parents about the level of care and attention the children need.  People are justifiably wondering how the decisions on cuts were made.

“This is an extremely worrying trend. This Government made a number of decisions in their first budget to target the most vulnerable groups, and children in particular, for the bulk of cuts this year. These children have a life-long illness and the support their families receive from the State helps provide extra care that they need.

“In the first instance, these payments must be reinstated. Secondly, I am calling on the Minister for Social Protection to outline the terms of her review of the Domiciliary Care Allowance and to explain how she can justify these cuts, which result in very little savings for the State but make an enormous difference to the lives of these children.”