Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023
764. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the disability allowance income disregard to €200 and increasing the upper cap to €400; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36780/23]
View answerThe system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
I have introduced a number of changes to means testing in recent years, including providing for higher income disregards for Disability Allowance. These disregards ensure that, where people are in receipt of a social assistance payment and are working, their income from work, to the level of the income disregard, is not assessed in the means test.
The estimated full year cost of increasing the Disability thresholds to €200 and €400 from €165 and €375 is €10m. This is an initial indicative costing based on available data.
It should be noted that these costings are subject to change in the context of emerging trends and associated revision of the estimated numbers of recipients.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
