Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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110. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the difference between the health qualifications to qualify for the invalidity pension and the disability allowance both which provide assistance to persons who can no longer work due to disability or illness; if she intends to align these to make them the same in this respect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59132/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which it impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work. The two main long-term payments are Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension.

Disability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance scheme. In order to qualify, the person must satisfy a habitual residency condition, a means test and meet the medical requirement. The medical requirement for Disability Allowance is that the person's disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and the disability must substantially restrict a person’s ability to work.

Over 157,000 people were in receipt of Disability Allowance in September 2022.

Invalidity Pension is a social insurance scheme paid from the Social Insurance Fund. Eligibility is based on PRSI contributions and medical condition. In order to qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; or must be permanently incapable of work.

Over 56,000 people were in receipt of Invalidity Pension in September 2022.

Officials in my Department are working on a Strawman Proposal on Disability Reform in accordance with a commitment under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion (2020 – 2025). The strawman will provide a proposal on the restructuring of long-term disability payments. Work on this proposal is at an advanced stage.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.