Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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176. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6265/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Disability allowance is a means tested scheme and the way means are assessed is laid down in social welfare legislation. In summary, any income, with some exceptions, belonging to the person and his spouse/partner/ co-habitant is assessable as means for disability allowance purposes. This claim was referred to a social welfare investigative officer (SWI) for a report on the person’s means and circumstances. Following a comprehensive home visit the SWI established to his satisfaction that the claimant and his companion are co-habiting. The means assessed against this gentleman are derived from his partner’s UK pensions, but they are halved because she is in receipt of social welfare in her own right.

On 10 January 2017, this man was notified of this decision and was given the right to appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. To date no appeal has been received.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.