Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

141. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there are planned changes to the terms of the disability allowance payment; and if there is a change planned to the amount of disregard allowed on this payment (details supplied). [21333/17]

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

The recently published Make Work Pay report included a number of recommendations in relation to the disability allowance payment. The Government has decided to implement some of these, while others will require further reflection or a consultation process with disability groups.

In launching the report, the Government announced that people with a long-term disability payment who move off the payment to get a job will retain their free travel pass for a period of five years. This measure goes beyond the recommendation of three years contained within the report and comes into effect from the launch date of 6th April 2017. The Government has also decided to accept the report’s recommendation to dispense with the requirement that work be of a ‘rehabilitative nature’ for the disability allowance earnings disregard. This means that a report from a doctor is no longer required before commencing work and that the focus is on capacity rather than incapacity.

Other recommendations related to extending the principle of “early intervention” to disability allowance and other disability payments as well as reconfiguring the system of payment for young persons. The Government has promised a period of consultation with persons with disabilities on these recommendations in particular. The Department of Social Protection has started this process of consultation with the disability sector.

The means disregard for disability allowance (DA) is important in the context of ensuring that people with disabilities can participate in work while retaining a proportion of their social welfare payment. The current disregard provides that people with disabilities can earn up to €120 per week (after deduction of PRSI, any pension contributions and union dues) from employment or self-employment of a rehabilitative nature, without their payment being affected. The Make Work Pay report recommends that the earnings disregard should be reviewed at regular intervals taking into account developments in the wider economy. It is envisaged that this review could take place in the context of budgetary developments generally and the consultation process referred to above.