Written answers

Thursday, 25 January 2024

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Departmental Data

Photo of Richard O'DonoghueRichard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

278. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the total number of adults in receipt of disability payments from her Department as of 31 December 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3540/24]

Photo of Heather HumphreysHeather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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 .

Blind Pension (BP) is a means tested payment paid to blind people and certain people with low vision, aged 18 and up to the age of 66 who are habitually resident in the State.

Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

Illness Benefit (IB) is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance.

The number of persons in receipt of DA, BP, IP and IB at the end of December 2023 are set out in the table below:

Scheme Number of Recipients at end of December 2023
DA 162,351
BP 988
IP 56,650
IB 51,552

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.