Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
896. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if financial supports are available for self-employed people with disabilities, similar to the wage subsidy scheme for people with disabilities; if not, if she plans to introduce such a scheme; if not, plans, the reason; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56997/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's disability-related schemes have been structured to support recipients to pursue employment opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. There are a number of employment supports available.
The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme allows a person who is in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit to enter or return to employment or self-employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment. Following a medical assessment if a person's restriction regarding their capacity for work is rated as moderate, severe or profound, their payment continues at 50%, 75% or 100% of their previous payment respectively while in employment. Partial Capacity Benefit has also been designed so that there are no restrictions or limits on earnings or on the number of hours a person can work.
A person in receipt of Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who pursues employment or self-employment can avail of an income disregard of €165 per week. In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are disregarded for the purpose of the means test.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme has been designed to support persons, including persons with disabilities, to take up self-employment opportunities. It allows a person to retain 100% of their payment in year one and 75% in year two, including any increases for a qualified adult and qualified children in payment.
The Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant is designed for a person with a disability who has been offered employment, is in employment or is self-employed, and requires a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment to do the job. S/he may be able to get a grant towards the costs of adapting premises or equipment. A maximum grant of €6,350 is available towards the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment. Applications in excess of this sum are considered on an individual basis up to a maximum of €9,523 if specialist training for assistive technology is required.
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is a support to encourage private sector employers to employ people with disabilities by means of a subsidy. The subsidy available is between €6.30 and €9.45 per hour depending on the number of employees supported by the scheme. The employment must be between 21 and 39 hours per week and satisfy all relevant employment legislation.
Under Budget 2024, I allocated an additional €3.7 million to expand this scheme in April 2024 by reducing the minimum required hours from 21 hours to 15 hours. My Department is undertaking a review of this scheme at present, and I expect to publish the report of the review in the coming months.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
