To ask the Minister for Communities whether her Department has any plans to introduce a standardised Disability Living Allowance award system for children with Down Syndrome.

Entitlement to DLA depends on the extent to which a child needs help with personal care, requires supervision or has difficulty getting around; and not on a particular disability or diagnosis.

The amount of additional care and supervision a disabled child needs compared to that for a non-disabled child of similar age is taken into consideration. Every claim is determined in line with the assessment criteria, relevant legislation and information provided.