Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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48. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will make amendments to the social welfare code to ensure that those students who are obliged to study abroad but are in receipt of a disability payment can retain this payment for the period of their studies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5111/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a payment for people with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. At the end of December 2021 there were 155,563 persons in receipt of Disability Allowance.

A person is not disqualified for receipt of a disability allowance while engaging in a prescribed course of education, training or development. However legislation provides for disqualification from the payment where a person is resident, whether temporarily or permanently, outside the State. This is in line with the general rules of social assistance payments which are not payable abroad.

Disability allowance is a qualifying payment for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme, which in certain circumstances allows for study in Northern Ireland, further details are available on the Gov.ie website.

While there are no plans currently to change the conditions that apply to this scheme in the manner proposed, my Department continues to keep the range of income supports available under review.