Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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294. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a disability allowance payment has been reduced for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18676/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

My Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 22 February 2023, notifying a change of circumstances regarding her DA. I can confirm that this person's previous means review was carried out on 7 July 2021. At that time, she was assessed with weekly means of €214.87 resulting in a DA payment rate of €158.50 (excluding fuel allowance).

Following a review, based on payslips that were supplied, it was found that the person concerned had an increase in her means above that previously assessed. This results in her now being assessed with weekly means of €326.67. Based on this earnings information, a reduced rate has been applied to her DA payment, with effect from 29 March 2023.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 20 March 2023.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.