John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

558. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the status of an application for disability allowance by a person (details supplied); and if changes have been made to the means test to allow the person to qualify. [19777/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The application for disability allowance (DA) from this gentleman was refused as he was deemed to have means in excess of the statutory limit for his circumstances.

The person in question appealed this decision to the social welfare appeals office. Following due consideration, the appeal was disallowed by an appeals officer (AO). The decision of an AO is final and conclusive in absence of any fresh facts or evidence.

Any changes to the disability allowance means assessment would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context. In this regard, there are currently no plans to change the means assessment in relation to the assessment of private pensions.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.