Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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332. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the recent RTÉ Investigates report that showed up to 12,000 vulnerable people were denied their disability allowances by State actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6083/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The issues raised recently regarding the Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowance relate to an extensive period of time, dating back to the 1950s.

The general policy intent and direction with regard to eligibility relating to the DPMA has remained largely unchanged from the 1950s to 1999 i.e. the State would provide for people’s living costs either in kind (through maintenance in a residential facility), or through a cash payment, for someone of no means living in the community, but not both.

It is a long-standing policy position that people in receipt of publicly funded residential care would make a contribution towards the cost of their care and/or maintenance through a charge/contribution.

The Attorney General prepared a report on the matter and this has been published. The report states, among other things, that the AG understands that the policy intent behind the non-payment of DPMA and Disability Allowance to persons in state residential care was that there was a clear and logical distinction between the financial needs of those living in the community in their own homes and those living in a State-provided residential care environment.

The Minister for Social Protection and I will consider the report and revert to the Government within three months.

There are, at present, approximately 8,200 people living in disability residential care. The model of residential care aims to support people to ‘live ordinary lives in ordinary places’, in ordinary homes in the community. Current policy on residential care is informed by Article 19 of the UNCRPD on living in the community.