The Social Protection Minister says eligibility reviews for the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) will remain closed for the time being.

It comes after a High Court judge overturned the refusal to grant the allowance to the mother of an autistic boy earlier this month.

He said the Department had shown a "disdainful attitude" to medical evidence presented during the application process.

The DCA is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires on-going care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested.

The DCA is currently paid to over 25,000 clients of the Department of Social Protection in respect of over 27,000 children, costing over 140 million per year, including the cost of associated respite care grant.

Minister Joan Burton says the review process will not re-open until the judgment is fully considered. However she says her Department has been working hard to make sure it is fair.