Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 April 2023
305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which a disability allowance payment is likely to be affected by participation in part-time employment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20170/23]
View answerDisability 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.
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. 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.
Under the make work pay initiative, where a DA recipient's means exceed the limits, even after the disregard is applied to their earnings, they are entitled to retain their free travel (FT) pass for five years. My Department has also put in place a system for the fast-track reinstatement of DA for people with disabilities who have taken up or returned to an employment which subsequently did not work out within 12 months.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
