Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
471. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) will receive a response to their enquiry regarding the methodology for the calculation of means in the case of their application for a disability allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19386/24]
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.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 23 June 2023. As the person concerned was in receipt of a more beneficial weekly rate of payment on Illness Benefit (IB), an option letter issued to the person concerned on 15 August 2023 to ascertain which scheme payment they wished to receive.
Correspondence was received from the person concerned on 30 August 2023 confirming they wished to remain on IB. The DA application of the person concerned was withdrawn and a letter confirming same issued to the person concerned on 11 September 2023.
Further correspondence was received from the person on 9 October 2023, requesting a review of their application. In order for the Deciding Officer to establish the current means of the person concerned, further information was required.
I can confirm that following a review, a means assessment determined that their means exceeded the statutory maximum allowed under the DA scheme. A letter notifying the person concerned issued on 10 January 2024.
Following a review, the original decision that the person concerned failed to satisfy the means criteria for DA was upheld. A letter notifying the person concerned issued on 12 February 2024
Following your requests for further review in March, and subsequent correspondences, a comprehensive review of his means was initiated. To finalise the review, this claim is currently undergoing re-evaluation by a Social Welfare Inspector. When the SWI has submitted their report, a Deciding Officer will notify him directly with the outcome once the review is complete.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
