Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
333. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will ensure that all PhD students that gave up disability payments prior to the introduction of Catherine’s Law are back paid to the date of the enactment of the reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38211/22]
View answerMy department is committed to do everything we can to assist people with disabilities to further their education.
In March 2021, I signed new regulations which will allow those in receipt of Disability Allowance (DA) to accept stipends associated with PhD scholarships.
The new disregard applies to Disability Allowance recipients and their spouse/partner who have been granted a stipend towards completing a PhD and is available for a maximum of four years.
The regulations came into effect from 1st September 2020 to exclude scholarship awards for PhD students from the means test for Disability Allowance.
DA customers that were disallowed DA due to the Stipend payment since 1st September 2020 may contact DA section for us to carry out a review of that decision. Payment may be reinstated from the date of disallowance (after 1st September 2020) providing conditions for the scheme are met.
Customers that were disallowed Disability Allowance due to the Stipend payment prior to 1st September 2020 may complete a new application form and it will be processed in the normal manner.
All requests for backdating payments to 1 September 2020 will be decided once an entitlement to DA has been established. These requests will be decided on an individual basis once all conditions for the scheme are met.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
