Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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419. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if supports are available for a person suffering with fibromyalgia who is working part-time and suffers with mobility and chronic pain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21753/23]

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 but on the extent to which a particular illness impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.

Illness Benefit is the primary income support payment for people who are unable to attend work due to illness of any type and who are covered by Pay Related Social Insurance contributions. It is payable for up to two years, depending on satisfying the eligibility conditions.

If a person has insufficient Pay Related Social Insurance contributions, they can apply for a means-tested social assistance scheme, for example, Disability Allowance. Eligibility for the scheme includes the requirement that the disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and substantially restrict a person’s ability to work.

Disability Allowance has been designed to support people to enter or return to employment, be that self-employment or insurable employment. When an individual commences employment, the first €165 of their weekly earnings is fully disregarded for the purpose of the means test. In addition, where their weekly earnings exceed €165, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 per week are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test.

Where a person with a disability is in employment and requires a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment to do the job, the Workplace Equipment/Adaptation Grant is available towards the costs of adapting premises or equipment. A maximum grant of €6,350 can be given towards the cost of adaptations to premises or equipment. Applications in excess of this sum are considered on an individual basis up to a maximum of €9,523 if specialist training for assistive technology is required.

My Department does not distinguish in relation to illnesses. Every application for the Department's schemes are individually assessed, based on the medical information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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420. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person in receipt of a disability allowance can enter full-time education and maintain their disability allowance payment. [21765/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a wide range of income supports for people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a disability, aged between 16 and 66 years, who are habitually resident in Ireland. Eligibility for the scheme includes the requirement that the disability must be expected to last for at least one year, and substantially restrict a person’s ability to work.

Person's in receipt of Disability Allowance can undertake further educational opportunities without it affecting their social welfare entitlement.

If a person is eighteen or over, and is in receipt of Disability Allowance for the required period and attending a full-time second level or level course at a recognised school or college, they may be able to avail of the Back to Education Allowance Scheme.

Where a person on Disability Allowance takes part in a Solas/ETB training course, they transfer from their social welfare payment to a Training Allowance, though continue to be paid at the same rate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.