Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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890. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way that her Department assesses the means of a person on disability allowance; if it is assumed a civil partner will provide in lieu of the State in event of change of status; the assumptions that are being made regarding the cost of living in 2023; if she considers it feasible that a young couple could afford to pay rent and live off one salary within the means restrictions imposed by her Department regarding disability allowance; when the conditions were last reviewed; if she will undertake an urgent review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1264/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a number of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability.  The primary disability related payment is Disability Allowance, which is a means-tested social assistance scheme for people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66.  Disability Allowance is also subject to a medical assessment and a habitual residency requirement.

At the end of November 2022, there were over 157,600 recipients of Disability Allowance.

Where a person makes an application for Disability Allowance, the means assessment includes:

- Income from employment or self-employment; the income of any spouse/partner/cohabitant, where applicable; income from a socialsecurity pension from another country; and maintenance payments.

- In terms of capital: savings, investments, shares and property are included.  The home in which the claimant lives is not included in the assessment of means, unless the person receives an income from it.  With regards to capital and the assessment of means, my Department uses the following formula, which isset out in legislation:  

- the first €50,000 is fully disregarded (that is, it is not included in the means test), the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the following €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand. 

Disability Allowance has also been designed to support recipients who can and who wish to pursue employment opportunities.  When a person commences employment, an income disregard of €165 per week is applied.  In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 per week is also disregarded for the purpose of the means test.  There are currently some 15,000 persons in receipt of Disability Allowance while in employment.

I am keenly aware of the cost-of-living challenges. In Budget 2023, I introduced a number of measures to support people with disabilities and these included:

In October 2022:

- A cost-of-living double payment, paid to all pensioners, carers and people on disability payments.

In November 2022:

- A €500 cost of living Disability Support Grant, paid to all people receiving a long-term Disability payment, including Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, and InvalidityPension.

- A €400 lump sum Fuel Allowance payment to all households receiving the Fuel Allowance.

- A €200 lump sum payment, for pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance.

In December 2022:

- Christmas bonus double payment paid to 1.3 million Social Protection recipients including: pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

In January 2023:

- A €12 increase, in weekly payments, to the Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, and Invalidity Pension 

- The means assessment threshold for Fuel Allowance is being increased from €120 to €200.

- Disablement Benefit will be disregarded in the means assessment for the Fuel Allowance.

- Domiciliary Care Allowance will be available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.

- A €20.50 increase to the monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance, bringing it to €330 per month, will be paid week commencing the 16th of January (the other increases and changes have already been implemented). 

It is important to note my Department also continues to provide the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for those whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.  Under the scheme, the Department may provide supports including additional needs payments and the rent supplement.  Any person who considers they may have an entitlement is encouraged to contact the Departments local community welfare service.  There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.