Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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128. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if someone who has been receiving jobseeker’s allowance for a period of 18 months applies for disability allowance, does their jobseeker’s payment cease immediately, or does it continue until a decision regarding the disability allowance application is reached; if the payment is ceased is there a requirement for the individual to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim; and in the event that the first application for disability allowance is unsuccessful what payment does the person revert to. [32932/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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A person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance may make an application for Disability Allowance.

Jobseeker’s Allowance should continue to be paid until a decision, including an Appeal where applicable, is made on the Disability Allowance claim.

If the application for Disability Allowance is unsuccessful for failing to satisfy the medical eligibility criteria for receipt of Disability Allowance, payment of Jobseeker’s Allowance may continue, subject to all qualifying conditions being satisfied.

If the application for Disability Allowance is unsuccessful but the person does not satisfy all the Jobseeker’s Allowance qualifying conditions including being capable of work, the person could apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment from their local Community Welfare Services.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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129. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person is awarded disability allowance and transitions from jobseeker’s allowance does this change their eligibility for the Christmas bonus associated with long-term social welfare payments. [32933/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Last December the Christmas Bonus was paid to approximately 1.3 million pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and long-term unemployed people in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all, or most, of their income.

Jobseekers are eligible for the Bonus if they are long-term recipients of a jobseeker payment (over 12 months). Those in receipt of Disability Allowance are eligible for the Bonus with no duration requirement. Therefore, a person who has transferred from Jobseeker's Allowance to Disability Allowance would be eligible for the Christmas Bonus once they are in receipt of Disability Allowance in the relevant week.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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130. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person receiving disability allowance is permitted to participate in a part-time springboard course or other ETB training options. [32934/23]

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, including part-time springboard courses, without it affecting their Disability Allowance payment.

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 they continue to be paid at the same rate.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.