Disability Allowance Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014

Tuesday, 30 September 2014

Questions (160)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

160. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the reason for the more than 100% increase in the number of recipients of disability allowance over a ten-year period between 1996 and 2006, from 37,054 recipients to 83,697 recipients, and the subsequent more than 40% increase in recipients over the following eight year period until 2014, with an estimated 108,274 recipients expected to receive the allowance this year; if there is a precedent in other countries for such an increase; and the way in which the figure of 108,274 persons on disability allowance, as a percentage of the overall population, compares to other countries. [36891/14]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

A review of the Disability Allowance (DA) scheme, published in 2010, identified a number of factors contributing to an increase in numbers claiming DA since the scheme was introduced in 1996 (when it replaced the Disabled Person’s Maintenance Allowance (DPMA) which had been operated by the Health Boards).

These included:

- demographic factors;

- progressive easing of the means test;

- migration from other Social Welfare schemes (notably in the early years);

- progression from Domiciliary Care Allowance as numbers on that scheme increased;

- extension of DA to people living in institutions and

- improved medical diagnoses etc.

It is also of relevance that DA is a contingency-based, demand-led scheme (unlike DPMA which was budget –driven), so if a person satisfies the statutory qualifying conditions, then DA will be awarded.

In relation to the international context, the OECD have carried out work in this area and published a report in 2010 – “Sickness, Disability and Work: Breaking the Barriers”. This report found that the number of people of working age in Ireland who received disability payments is above the OECD average (in 2008, 6.5% compared to 5.7%) but that spending on sickness and disability made up 10% of Ireland’s public social spending, which is in line with the OECD average.