Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 1 Mar 2000

Vol. 515 No. 4

Written Answers. - Social Welfare Code.

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

141 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if he will report on the assessment of income from rehabilitative employment for persons in receipt of disability allowance in view of the fact this employment is generally casual in nature and income may vary greatly from week to week; the way in which a person should calculate this income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6313/00]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

In the case of persons in receipt of disability allowance regulations provide for a specific income disregard for means test purposes in respect of rehabilitative employment.

Where an employment has been certified by the national rehabilitation board or by the person's own doctor as being rehabilitative in nature, and has been accepted as such by my Department a person in receipt of disability allowance is allowed to earn up to £50.00 net per week without their disability allowance entitlement being affected. Income is calculated on the average of net income over a six week period. Such income is confirmed by my Department with the employer concerned. Any income in excess of this amount is assessable as means.

I am conscious of the important role social welfare income support plays, and in particular, the consequences that taking up rehabilitative employment can have on people's disability allowance entitlement. In this regard, significant progress has been made in recent years in relation to this disregard. In particular, the Social Welfare Bill, 2000, provides for a further significant increase, from £50 to £75 per week with effect from 5 April 2000, in the amount of income from rehabilitative employment which can be disregarded for means test purposes.

If the Deputy is aware of a specific case where difficulties have arisen, my Department will be happy to discuss the matter with her.