Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2018
576. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there are circumstances in which a person in receipt of a disability allowance can engage in part-time work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11196/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Ireland, people with disabilities of working age are only half as likely to be in work as their non-disabled peers. Employment is central to independence and social integration and offers the best protection against poverty. This Government is committed to helping more people with disabilities to enter the workforce. To this end recipients of disability allowance (DA) can retain a proportion of their income support payment as they move from welfare to work.
DA is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability whose income falls below certain limits. To qualify for DA a person must, among other conditions, have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year and as a result of this disability be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications.
The means disregard for DA is important in the context of ensuring that people with disabilities can participate in work while retaining a proportion of their social welfare payment. The current disregard provides that people with disabilities can earn up to €120 per week from employment without their payment being affected while earnings between €120 and €350 are assessed at 50%.
Currently, some 10% of DA recipients avail of this provision. Recent Government decisions have sought to increase the number of DA recipients availing of this arrangement. In line with the recommendations of the Make Work Pay report published last April, the Government has dispensed with the requirement that work be of a ‘rehabilitative nature’ for the DA earnings disregard. This means that a report from a doctor is no longer required before commencing work and that the focus is on capacity rather than incapacity.
Furthermore, procedures have been put in place with regard to fast-tracking the reinstatement of DA to people with disabilities who have returned to work, and have subsequently had to leave their job within one year.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
