Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 December 2018
645. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if moneys received by a recipient of disability allowance in respect of the person's participation in a medical clinical trial directly related to the person's chronic illness is reckonable for means; if there is a disregard available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50185/18]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides that for social assistance schemes, including disability allowance, all income and assets belonging to a claimant, and his or her spouse/partner where applicable, is assessable for means testing purposes. The purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need for income supports by the State.
Specific disregards apply for certain sources of income. Where a person in receipt of disability allowance is engaged in employment, the first €120 per week of earnings is fully disregarded in the means assessment, with earnings between €120 and €350 per week assessed at 50%. The Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2018, currently before the Seanad, includes a provision to remove the legislative requirement that this employment be of a rehabilitative nature.
There is currently no specific disregard in legislation in respect of payments made for participating in a clinical trial. However, if the payments constitute employment or self-employment, then the disregards above would apply.
Any changes to the means assessment of social assistance schemes would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
