Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to support a matter concerning invalidity pensions (details supplied) in Dublin 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3377/16]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Invalidity pension is one of a range of income supports available to those who are unable to work due to illness or incapacity. While recipients of Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension did not benefit from a weekly rate increase in Budget 2016, I was pleased to provide for improvements that impact on recipients of Invalidity Pension.

I provided for the 75% Christmas Bonus payment for all welfare recipients, including recipients of Invalidity Pension. A couple in receipt of Invalidity Pension with a qualified adult and two qualified children received a bonus payment of €293.40.

In addition, those eligible for the Fuel Allowance will gain from the increase in January of €2.50 per week, from €20 to €22.50 per week over the fuel season.

Funding for the Free Travel scheme, which benefits a large number of Invalidity Pension recipients, is being increased by €3 million, from €77 million to €80 million, to meet increased numbers eligible for the scheme and therefore fully protect entitlements under the scheme.

Invalidity Pension recipients with children will also benefit from the €5 increase in the monthly rate of Child Benefit.

The Respite Care Grant, now renamed the Carer’s Support Grant to better reflect the usage of the grant, is being increased by €325, from €1,375 to €1,700 per annum. Furthermore, payment of Carer’s Allowance will be extended by 6 weeks, from 6 weeks to 12 weeks, after the death of the care recipient. These measures will benefit the carers of those Invalidity Pension recipients who are relying on another person to provide full time care.

It should also be noted that as a result of Budget 2015, recipients of Invalidity Pension who live alone gained from the €1.30 increase in the weekly rate of the Living Alone Allowance.

There have also been other developments in relation to the employment of people with disabilities, most notably, the publication by Government in October 2015, of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities which provides for a ten year strategy to ensure that people with disabilities who are able to and want to work are supported and enabled to do so.

I have also (in 2012) introduced the Partial Capacity Benefit scheme, available to recipients of Invalidity Pension, which allows you to return to work or self-employment (if you have reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a payment from the Department of Social Protection.