Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

194. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which she and her Department have examined the full circumstances of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20129/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly benefit for eligible individuals with a disability expected to last over a year, subject to medical assessment, means testing, and Habitual Residency conditions.

The Department approved a DA application for this individual on 10 August 2022, granting the maximum personal rate and additional payment for qualified child from the same date.

As previously advised, following a review initiated due to information received, the person concerned was asked on 5 March 2024 to complete a household composition form and to verify her means. The assessment determined that half the weekly maintenance received should be attributed as means on her DA claim. This is based on a court order for maintenance provided as part of the review of entitlements. Consequently, her weekly DA rate has been adjusted to €297.50 beginning 15 May 2024. The person was informed of this change on 23 April 2024.

This assessment is in line with legislative provisions on assessing means from maintenance. Future legislative amendments concerning child maintenance disregards will prompt another review of this matter.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.