Written answers

Wednesday, 3 June 2020

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Disability Allowance

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1133. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of disability allowance who have lost employment due to Covid-19. [9361/20]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Disability allowance (DA) is a payment for persons between the ages of 16 and 66 with a specified disability which is expected to last at least 1 year, and who by reason of that disability, are substantially restricted in undertaking work suitable to their age, qualifications and experience. Applicants must also satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.

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.

The number of persons in receipt of DA at the end of April was 149,395.  Of DA recipients, 4,442 have received at lease one Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

Statistics relating to the number of DA recipients who have lost employment are not held.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Photo of Holly CairnsHolly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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1134. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if there will be a supplementary payment to support persons on disability allowance to supplement their income if they are unable to return to work (details supplied). [9362/20]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability who are aged between 16 and 66.  In order to be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year; the allowance is also subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.

DA is structured to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue their own employment ambitions, be that self-employment or in insurable employment.  When an individual commences employment, they can avail of an income disregard of €120 per week.  In addition, a 50% taper on earnings between €120 and €350 is also applied (disregarded), for the purpose of the means test.  

Following recommendations in the Make Work Pay (MWP) report, published in April 2017, my department has put in place a fast-track return to Disability Allowance in situations where employment ceases or does not work out.

The above approach to the means assessment combined with the provision of a fast-track return to DA mechanism means that people can be assured of receiving their full entitlement to DA while also being able to avail of any employment opportunity that they may wish to pursue.

My department regularly reviews its supports and payment schemes to ensure that they continue to meet their objectives.  Any change to payment rates or supplementary payments would have to be considered in the overall annual budgetary context.

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