Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the maximum allowable income from employment while retaining disability allowance for a patient with a heart condition and other health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52651/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Disability Allowance is the primary disability related social assistance scheme in the State. As of August 2022, there were some 157,000 people in receipt of this payment. The scheme is subject to a means test, medical assessment and habitual residency requirement.

Disability Allowance has been designed to support recipients to pursue employment opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. When a person is in employment, an income disregard of €140 per week is applied. In addition, 50% of earnings between €140 and €375 per week are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test. Earning above €375 are assessed at 100% i.e., for every euro above €375 a euro reduction is applied.

A number of measures were introduced as part of Budget 2023 which will see increases being applied, to both the Disability Allowance and Blind Pension schemes, from January 2023, these include:

- A €12 per week increase to the personal rate for both the Disability Allowance and Blind Pension, bringing the weekly rates to €220 per week. This will include proportionate increases for qualified adults and for people getting a reduced rate

- The earnings disregards for both the Disability Allowance and Blind pension will increase by €25 per week, from €140 to €165. This will mean a person will be able to earn €165 per week without having any effect on their payment.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.