Disability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In order to be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year; the allowance is also subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
DA is structured to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their own employment ambitions, be that self-employment or in insurable employment. When an individual commences employment, they can avail of an income disregard of €120 per week. In addition, a 50% taper on earnings between €120 and €350 is also applied (disregarded), for the purpose of the means test.
Following recommendations in the Make Work Pay (MWP) report, published in April 2017, my department has put in place a fast-track return to Disability Allowance in situations where employment ceases or does not work out.
The above approach to the means assessment combined with the provision of a fast-track return to DA mechanism means that people can be assured of receiving their full entitlement to DA while also being able to avail of any employment opportunity that they may wish to pursue.
My department regularly reviews its supports and payment schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives. Any change to payment rates or supplementary payments would have to be considered in the overall annual budgetary context.