Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for outlining Donal's story. The Senator might send me on the details so we can pursue it. It definitely sounds like it would be worth pursuing. I have a general response on the general query.

The Department of Social Protection provides a wide range of employment-related supports, for all jobseekers, including people with a disability. The back to work enterprise allowance offers support to people receiving certain social welfare payments, including disability allowance, to develop a business while retaining a reducing proportion of their qualifying social welfare payment for two years. The payment is 100% of the person's social welfare entitlement in year 1 and 75% in year 2. The scheme alleviates some of the risk involved with a new venture and provides an element of financial security along with business mentoring and supports.

In addition, the enterprise support grant of up to €2,500 provides financial support to back to work enterprise allowance recipients to assist with initial business start-up costs, for example to purchase business related equipment, advertising or website development costs.A person moving from a long-term disability payment to take up a job or self-employment can retain entitlement to free travel for a period of five years. They may also retain their electricity or gas allowance for the duration of the payment. Where a person with a disability requires a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment, the Department offers support through the workplace equipment adaptation grant under the reasonable accommodation fund.

In circumstances where a self-employed person decides to employ an additional person from the live register on a full-time basis, they may be eligible for support under the JobsPlus scheme. Under the scheme, an employer can receive a grant of €7,500 or €10,000 over a two-year period. The scheme will be expanded from January 2023 to people receiving disability allowance in order that they can take up a JobsPlus-supported job. Where a person's entitlement to the back to work enterprise allowance is exhausted and the person is operating at reduced levels of business activity, there may be alternative income supports available and the individual should engage with their local Intreo centre. I will do so, on behalf of the Senator, in respect of Mr. Coady.

Disability allowance is structured to support recipients who wish to avail of opportunities to pursue employment. When an individual commences employment, he or she can avail of an income disregard of €140 per week. In addition, 50% of earnings between €140 and €375 are disregarded for the purpose of the means test. Earnings above €375 are assessed at 100%. As part of budget 2023, the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has increased the earnings disregard for disability allowance by €25 per week from €140 to €165.

The partial capacity benefit scheme allows a person 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, depending on his or her capacity for work. There are no restrictions on the earnings the individual can generate from employment while on this scheme or on the number of hours worked.

In the wider context, local enterprise offices, LEOs, are the first-stop shop for advice and guidance, financial assistance and other supports for anyone, including people with disabilities, intending to start or grow a business. LEOs can provide additional support to entrepreneurs with disabilities such as mentoring or accommodations to assist with the completion of grant application forms or training courses such as start your own business.

I thank the Senator raising this issue and for his ongoing advocacy for disability. This is my first time to acknowledge that publicly. If he sends me the details of his Commencement matter, I will certainly pursue them with the Minister for Social Protection.