Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 June 2023
432. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection the changes introduced to the disability allowance since 27 June 2020; and if she will detail the number of recipients, by county, benefitting from these changes, in tabular form. [31132/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
The DA scheme is under constant review to ensure people with disabilities, who cannot work, are supported by my Department. The policy and rate changes introduced to the DA scheme since 27 June 2020 are set out as follows:
Payments made by the State Claims Agency for claims in respect of the Pandemrix vaccine settled on or after 1 October 2020 were exempted from the Disability Allowance means assessment.
From 1 September 2020, an annual limit of €20,000 will be disregarded from the Disability Allowance means assessment for the Disability Allowance recipient and their spouse/partner who have been granted a Stipend towards completing a PhD (Level 10 qualification). This is available for a maximum of 4 years.
In January 2021, there was an increase in the allowance for a qualified child, free fuel allowance and living alone allowance.
In June 2021, the weekly income disregard increased from €120 to €140.
In June 2022, the upper limit of disregard from earnings from work was increased from €350 to €375.
The means rate bracket was changed to benefit people getting a reduced payment rate of Disability Allowance, the first means band increased from €0.00-€2.50 to €0.00-€7.50.
In January 2022, the weekly primary rate increased by €5.00.
In January 2022, there was an increase in the allowance for a qualified adult, qualified child, free fuel allowance and living alone allowance.
Effective from 12th July 2022, a rental income disregard of up to a maximum of €269.23 per week applies to an owner-occupier’s means assessment, where the room(s) is rented as living accommodation for at least 28 consecutive days to person(s) other than immediate family members or employees.
Disregard of the Accommodation Recognition Payment of €800 per month received for hosting temporary protection beneficiaries who are not in receipt of a housing support payment from the Department, or others, with similar effect.
Several bonuses were paid during 2022 as part of Budget 2023 in a package of measures to assist people with the Cost of Living
• Double weekly payment in October 2022
• €400 bonus on fuel allowance in November 2022
• €200 bonus on living alone allowance in November 2022
• €500 bonus for long term disability payments in November 2022
The Christmas bonus was paid at 100% in December 2022.
In January 2023, the weekly primary rate increased by €12.00.
In January 2023, there was an increase in the allowance for a qualified adult and qualified child allowance.
In January 2023, the weekly income disregard increased from €140 to €165.
A €200 cost of living spring bonus was paid in April 2023.
At end of May 2023 there are 159,194 recipients in receipt of Disability Allowance. Please see below breakdown by county.
|
County |
Total |
|
CARLOW |
2,591 |
|
CAVAN |
2,326 |
|
CLARE |
3,782 |
|
CORK |
19,053 |
|
DONEGAL |
6,283 |
|
DUBLIN |
37,780 |
|
GALWAY |
8,685 |
|
KERRY |
5,939 |
|
KILDARE |
6,034 |
|
KILKENNY |
2,992 |
|
LAOIS |
2,951 |
|
LEITRIM |
1,232 |
|
LIMERICK |
8,386 |
|
LONGFORD |
1,918 |
|
LOUTH |
4,707 |
|
MAYO |
4,516 |
|
MEATH |
4,639 |
|
MONAGHAN |
1,731 |
|
OFFALY |
3,174 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
2,277 |
|
SLIGO |
2,424 |
|
TIPPERARY |
6,885 |
|
WATERFORD |
4,588 |
|
WESTMEATH |
3,544 |
|
WEXFORD |
6,125 |
|
WICKLOW |
4,488 |
|
Unknown |
144 |
|
TOTAL |
159,194 |
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
