Seán Canney
Question:927. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined. [17580/23]
View answerTuesday, 18 April 2023
Questions (927)
Written answers
Disability allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. The applicant must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect, which has lasted for one year or is expected to last for one year and, as a result of which, they are substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications. The person must also satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.
I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of DA from 13 July 2016 to 21 August 2018.
Recognising that all work is rehabilitative, the DA scheme is structured to encourage recipients to avail of opportunities to engage in either insurable employment or self-employment. When an individual engages in work, they can avail of an income disregard of 100% of the first €165 earned per week, and 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test. Any amounts over €375 are assessed in full. This disregard is available to all DA recipients who engage in employment and there are no restrictions on the hours worked each week.
I have asked my officials to send a DA application form to the person concerned for them to complete and return if they wish to apply for this payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.