A DETAILED explanation has been sought by Deputy Willie O’Dea from Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton for the surge in rejected applications for the Disability Allowance.
The Limerick deputy who is Fianna Fail spokesperson for Social Protection said he has been inundated with calls from his constituents about applications for the disability allowance that have “inexplicably been rejected.
“Many of the cases involve children who were in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance but have now turned 16, only to be suddenly told they are no longer eligible for State support.’
Commenting after new figures reveal that three out of every five applications for disability allowance have been rejected since the start of this year, the deputy said that between January and April, the Department of Social Protection turned down 4,823 applications.
“This is causing enormous distress for thousands of families around the country and if it keeps up, the Department of Social Protection is on course to reject 15,000 applications this year”
Accusing the government of consistently attacking supports for young people with disabilities since coming into office, Deputy O’Dea said that meanwhile thousands of children with intellectual disabilities have inexplicably lost their Domiciliary Care Allowance over the past year and thousands of others have been refused the Disability Allowance.
Mr O’Dea said he has called on the Minister to categorically state that there has been no change in the eligibility criteria for the Disability Allowance.
“I am also asking her Department to publish up-to-date figures on rejected applications for the Disability Allowance and the Domiciliary Care Allowance.”
