Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

Disability allowance is a means tested payment for people with specified disabilities whose incomes fall below certain limits and who are between 16 and 66 years of age. Eligibility is subject to a medical examination and a means test. Under the community employment eligibility criteria, adult dependents of persons in receipt of disability allowances are not considered eligible unless they qualify in their own right. This rationale is based on the fact that the eligibility of the disability claimant is specifically linked to his or her physical or other disability and, therefore, is not transferable under the other rules to a dependent spouse, partner or cohabitant.

The circumstances giving rise to eligibility for disability allowances are considered to be significantly different to those of persons in receipt of jobseeker's benefit, jobseeker's allowance and farm assist, in which regard swaps are facilitated. I undertake to review the matter and will ask my officials to examine it in the context of the announcements we hope to make in respect of the jobs budget.

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