354 Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will expedite a domiciliary care allowance appeal in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin; the reason the child in question's needs were deemed not substantial by her Department when at the same time the Health Service Executive and Department of Education and Skills agreed the child be granted a full-time special needs assistant and four hours resource teaching per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22157/11]

An application for domiciliary care allowance was received on 4th May 2011. It was referred to one of the Department's Medical Assessors who found that the child was not medically eligible for domiciliary care allowance. A letter issued to the person concerned on 4th July 2011 advising her of the decision to refuse the allowance.

In the case of an application which is refused on medical grounds, the applicant may submit additional information and/or ask for the case to be reviewed or they may appeal the decision directly to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. The person concerned has recently submitted additional information in support of her application and has requested a review of the decision. The case, including the additional information provided, is currently being reviewed by another Medical Assessor.