Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
925. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if, in line with Action 67 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, she has plans to establish a grant to assist autistic people and disabled people in paying for larger, one-off expenses; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57314/23]
View answerMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability, including autism. Entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. It is not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability. The income supports available are Illness Benefit, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit.
My Department provides Additional Needs Payments as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources. This assistance is available to anyone who needs it, even to those who are working but on a low income.
The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered. This ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.
I am confident that there are supports in place for disabled and autistic people who need assistance to pay for larger, once-off expenses and therefore I do not consider that a specific grant, as suggested above, is required.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place – 0818-607080 – which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
