Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy said, when people commence employment they can avail of an income disregard of €165 per week. I increased it to that amount in budget 2023. In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test. The partial capacity benefit allows people who are in receipt of invalidity pension or illness benefit to enter or return to employment or self-employment and continue to receive partial or full payment. Earlier, I spoke about the strawman proposal we are publishing on disability. As I said, it will be published in mid-May and we will get feedback. I will be happy for people to give their views on how we can improve it. At the moment we have a flat rate disability allowance payment of €220. Everyone gets the same payment regardless of the level of disability. Perhaps we need to look at targeting it more and at other changes. The strawman will be published and I will welcome the Deputy's views on it.

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