Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 24 Oct 2002

Vol. 556 No. 2

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

37 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs her proposals to improve the means test criteria for the disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19513/02]

Since October 1996, when responsibility for the main means-tested payment for people with disabilities, i.e. the disabled person's maintenance allowance, was transferred from the health boards to my Department, a range of significant improvements, including improvements in the means-testing arrangements, have been introduced. As a result, there has been a substantial increase in the number of recipients of disability allowance – up from 34,500 in October, 1996 to 61,774 at present, an increase of 79%.

The improvements in the means-testing arrangements which have been provided for include substantial increases in the amount of earnings from rehabilitative employment which may be disregarded for means test purposes, major improvements in the method of assessing capital, exemptions of the proceeds of sale of a person's residence from means assessment and easing of the rules for payment of disability allowance where a partner is in receipt of another payment. In addition, eligibility for the back to work allowance scheme has been extended to recipients of disability allowance and blind person's pension. Under this scheme a person is allowed to retain his or her weekly payment on a sliding scale in addition to their income from employment or self-employment. While significant improvements have been made in the means-tested payments for people with disabilities in recent years, I will continue to examine the potential for further improvements in this area. Any such improvements would have to be considered in a budgetary context and having regard to other priorities.

Top
Share