Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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87. To ask the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 3 May 2017, his views on whether it would be more beneficial to categorise various groupings of persons on disability allowance by type of disability or severity of disability in order that groups that work with persons with particular disabilities can plan resources on a needs-based approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25902/17]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Disability allowance (DA) is a payment for persons with a specified disability who are over 16 and under 66. As a result of that disability, which must be expected to last at least a year, they must be deemed to be substantially restricted in obtaining employment otherwise suitable to their age, qualifications and experience. Applicants must also satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.

In its assessment of a person’s medical suitability for DA, the Department does not dispute the diagnosis(es) of an applicant’s doctor(s). Rather, it considers the severity and expected duration of the condition(s) and the resultant impact on a person’s capacity to work, and assesses to what extent these match with the statutory conditionality of the DA scheme. It would not be appropriate to have a system of social protection where there is a specific benefit for a specific medical condition.

My Department keeps the data it collects under review to see how it might best serve the development of services and will consider the Deputy's suggestion in the context of our ongoing consultation with disability stakeholders.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.