A mother of two young boys with autism has brought a High Court challenge to the Minister for Social Protection’s decision refusing her a carer’s allowance for one of the boys.
Patricia Flood, whose sons Harry (6) and Gavin (3) both have autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, was informed last March she would no longer receive a domiciliary care allowance in respect of Harry.
The allowance is paid in relation to children with a severe disability requiring care for 12 months substantially in excess of that required for a child of the same age.
Mrs Flood, of Clonmagadden Fort, Navan, Co Meath, contends she qualifies for the allowance in relation to Harry and no proper reason for the refusal has been tendered.
She also claims the Minister had failed to consider all the medical evidence tendered in support of her claim.
Derek Shortall, for Mrs Flood, secured leave from Mr Justice Michael Peart yesterday to challenge the refusal in judicial review proceedings.
The leave application was made on an ex parte (one side only represented) basis.
The matter has been returned to July.