Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
409. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that persons on disability benefit were excluded from receiving the once-off payment of €500 cost-of-living measure announced in budget 2023; if she will consider including them in this payment; the other benefits that recipients were excluded from; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58946/22]
View answerDisablement Benefit is part of the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme. This scheme caters for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do.
Payments under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme, including Disablement Benefit, did not qualify for the once-off Disability Support Grant. The grant was designed to recognise the additional cost pressures on people with disabilities and carers during the current energy crisis. Many people in receipt of Disablement Benefit already receive a supplement on an ongoing basis in the form of an Incapacity Supplement.
Budget 2023 provided for several benefits for Disablement Benefit recipients. They received the once-off autumn cost of living double payment. Disablement Benefit will be disregarded from the means test for Fuel Allowance from January 2023 to reduce the impact of the energy crisis on recipients of this payment. They will also benefit from the increase in the weekly maximum personal rate of payment by €12 from January 2023.
People in receipt of this payment will also benefit from the Christmas Bonus .
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
