DCA parents cautiously welcome medical card

News in the budget that recipients of domiciliary care allowance (DCA) will also have access to a medical card was given a guarded welcome by parents.

Some claim the development was moot, given the current state of waiting lists for services.

DCA is a monthly payment of €309, made on behalf of a child aged 16 or under who has a disability that requires ongoing care. The Facebook group, DCA Warriors, which has 11,000 members, has led the charge for better services for children. The payment has been the subject of scrutiny, because of the high level of applications rejected, and the high number of rejections then reversed on appeal.