Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2022
417. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a timeline for when the students who are in receipt of the disability support grant that missed the 14 November 2022 payment will receive their next payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57253/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra419. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection if claimants on the disability allowance who transferred to the temporary training allowance will be able to receive the one-off €500 cost-of-living lump sum payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57262/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra423. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the cost-of-living measures to include participants who attend the National Learning Network and who are in receipt of the introduction skills training scheme allowance. [57357/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra437. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons who are participating in training and education courses who are usually in receipt of disability allowance will qualify for the €500 lump-sum payment for disability-related supports; if the decision to exclude these participants from receiving the payment was reverted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57505/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 417, 419, 423 and 437 together.
My Department has, as you will be aware, acted very quickly to deliver the Disability Support Grant and other budget measures within an exceptionally short timeframe. Wherever possible, budget measures that are usually implemented in the January to March period of the year following a budget announcement, have been brought forward and implemented within a period of weeks. While this early issue of payments was very challenging it was possible to achieve for people paid directly off the Department’s own payment systems.
However, when undertaking training courses, recipients of Disability Allowance move off the Department’s payment systems and transfer to a Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funded Training Allowance. As a consequence, it was not possible to process early payment of the Disability Support Grant to these recipients in the same manner as was implemented in respect of people paid directly through the Department’s own systems.
I can confirm, however, that it is the intention that people on training courses, having previously been in receipt of a Disability Allowance payment, will receive the €500 Disability Support Grant.
My officials are examining this issue in conjunction with their colleagues in the Department of Further, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure the payment is made to those who are on Training courses as soon as possible.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
