Written answers

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Disability Allowance

Photo of Frank FeighanFrank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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1107. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person is entitled to receive his or her means-tested disability allowance payment in another EU member state for a time period under the provisions of EU law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8931/20]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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In order to qualify for disability allowance, a person must be aged between 16 and 66, satisfy a medical and means test and be habitually resident in the State.

The EU Regulations on Social Security Coordination provide for common rules to protect a person’s social security rights when moving within Europe.  These Regulations contain a number of key principles, including the principle of exportability of benefits.  This principle means that if you are entitled to a cash benefit from one country, you may generally receive it even if you are residing or living in a different country.

However, the EU Regulations provide for a number of exceptions to this principle, including in the case of benefits that are classified as being special non-contributory cash benefits.  I am advised that as disability allowance is classified as being a special non-contributory cash benefit in the EU Regulations on Social Security Coordination, this means that the EU rules on exportability do not apply. 

Accordingly, disability allowance is not paid while the recipient is abroad.

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