Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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954. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a proposed change to a social welfare payment (details supplied) is expected to take effect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1370/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The article referred to by the Deputy relates to Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers.

I recently secured the approval of Government to proceed with legislation for Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers. This represents a major step in what will be a fundamental reform of the social welfare system which will align the rate of benefit with prior earnings.

The weekly rate of payment for people who have at least five years of paid PRSI contributions will be set at 60% of previous earnings, subject to a maximum of €450, for the first three months. After that, the rate will reduce to 55% of earnings, subject to a maximum of €375, for the following three months. A further three months will be paid at the rate of 50% up to a maximum of €300 payment.

For persons who have between two and five years of paid contributions, the rate will be set at 50% of previous earnings, subject to a maximum of €300 per week, and will be of six months' duration.

I have referred the general scheme of the draft legislation to give effect to Pay-Related Benefit for Jobseekers to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for pre-legislative scrutiny.

My Department will work on the necessary arrangements to facilitate the introduction of this scheme in Quarter 4 of this year.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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955. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on a disability allowance for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1375/24]

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.

I can confirm that my Department originally received an application for DA from the person concerned on 13 September 2023.

On 29 September 2023, the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on their eligibility.

Requests for further information were sent to the person concerned on 7 November 2023 and 18 December 2023. While some information was received, additional information had to be requested on 2 January 2024 to assist in assessing their eligibility to DA. To date, this requested information has not been received.

On receipt of this information, a decision will be made on their DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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 27 October 2023, notifying of a change of circumstances regarding her DA.

Based on the information provided to my Department, the maximum personal rate of DA has been applied to their payment with effect from 11 October 2023. The first payment of the new rate will be made by the person's chosen payment method on 17 January 2024.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 10 January 2024.

Arrears of payment due from 11 October 2023 to 16 January 2024 will issue as soon as possible, once any necessary adjustments are calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).

A further review is ongoing regarding the rate of payment for the qualified child allowance. The person concerned will be notified in writing when a final decision is made.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.