In the case raised by the Deputy, the person commenced a FÁS training course on 6 December 2004. Under agreed arrangements with FÁS, people undertaking training who are in receipt of disability allowance, are eligible for a FÁS training allowance instead of disability allowance. Payment of disability allowance is suspended for the duration of the person's attendance on the FÁS training course as the person's income support needs are being met through the training allowance.
FÁS pays participants a standard training allowance or an amount equal to their current disability allowance payment, including living alone allowance, free fuel allowance, etc., whichever is greater. In the case raised by the Deputy, the FÁS training allowance is being paid at the equivalent of the maximum rate of disability allowance of €148.80 per week with a training bonus of €31.80 per week.
Participants also retain any secondary benefits to which they have entitlement, for example, medical cards, free schemes etc.
All disability allowance recipients who transfer to a FÁS training scheme under these arrangements are guaranteed that they will not lose out by transferring to the training allowance; that they will retain any secondary benefits they are in receipt of and that in the event that they are unable to continue with the training programme, their disability allowance payment will be restored automatically.
My Department aims, through a provision of a range of supports, to encourage and assist people with disabilities and long-term illnesses who are in receipt of social welfare payments to identify and take up available employment, training and other self-development opportunities, where appropriate.
The Deputy raises the issue of treatment of persons on disability benefit or invalidity pension in similar circumstances. Income maintenance payments available under the social welfare code consist of a range of social insurance benefits which are financed through PRSI contributions, and a range of social assistance payments, which are payable subject to a means test and financed by the Exchequer through general tax revenue. The purpose of the means test is to ensure that, for people who do not have social insurance cover or who have insufficient PRSI contributions to qualify for benefit, resources are targeted at those most in need.
A person who is ill or disabled, and has sufficient PRSI contributions, may qualify for either disability benefit or invalidity pension. Entitlement to social insurance benefits such as these are not affected by the claimant's income or, if one of a couple, by their spouse or partner's income, subject to certain limits.
A person in receipt of disability benefit or invalidity pension may apply to the Department for an exemption from the general "no work" conditions which apply to these contributory schemes in order to undertake a training course to fit him or her for another job if he or she is unable to do his or her usual work.
In such cases where permission is given to commence a course, any training allowance payable can be made to the person in addition to the payment of disability benefit or invalidity pension, without affecting the rate of entitlement due to the contributory nature of these schemes.
Where people have not worked or do not have sufficient PRSI contributions, they may apply for disability allowance, which is means tested. In assessing means, account is taken of the claimant's own means and, in the case of a couple, the joint means of the couple are assessed. In addition, the value of any capital held is assessed. In this way, applicants for disability allowance are treated in the same manner as applicants for other social assistance payments.
