Written answers
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Department of Social Protection
Disability Allowance
Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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109. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the full year cost in 2016 of increasing the disability allowance by €6, €7, €7.50 and €8 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1990/16]
Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance paid to persons who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria). The estimated cost in 2016 of increasing the weekly rate of Disability Allowance by €6.00, €7.00, €7.50 and €8.00 is detailed in the following table.
| Increase in the weekly rate | Estimated Cost in 2016 (full year) |
|---|---|
| €6.00 | €39.5 million |
| €7.00 | €46.1 million |
| €7.50 | €49.4 million |
| €8.00 | €52.6 million |
There is an analogous social insurance payment, Invalidity Pension, which is paid to persons who are permanently incapable of work (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria). A €1 increase in the weekly rate of Invalidity Pension would cost €3.2 million in a full year.
These costs include proportionate increases for qualified adults, where applicable.
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