Disability Allowance Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 March 2015

Tuesday, 31 March 2015

Ceisteanna (238)

Jerry Buttimer

Ceist:

238. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection in order to encourage persons with intellectual disabilities to take up opportunities of rehabilitative employment, if she will consider putting in place protections to ensure that payments from her Department received by persons with intellectual disabilities participating in employment will not be affected by such opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13219/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection

The Government recognises the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability, including those with an intellectual disability, and is committed to removing barriers which prevent those persons from participating in activation programmes and employment.

At the moment, a person in receipt of disability allowance (DA) can work and earn €120 per week without it affecting the DA claim while if the weekly earnings are between €120 and €350,50 per cent of the earnings will be disregarded in the DA means test – if the person’s doctor recommends that such work is of a rehabilitative or therapeutic nature.