Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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198. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the most appropriate route to proceed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39235/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Disability allowance (DA) is a means tested scheme and means are assessed in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. In summary, any income, with some exceptions, belonging to the person is assessable as means for DA purposes.

The DA scheme is structured to encourage recipients to avail of opportunities to engage in work where this is appropriate, either in self-employment or in insurable employment. When an individual engages in or is already engaged in work, they can avail of an income disregard of €120 per week, and 50% of earnings between €120 and €350 are also disregarded, for the purpose of the means test. The person concerned would need to submit payslips in order for his entitlement to be reviewed.

People who have been in receipt of DA are entitled to retain their free travel for a period of 5 years after returning to work providing all other qualifying conditions for the free travel scheme are satisfied.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the deputy.