Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

133. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the circumstances in which the maintenance for a child (details supplied) will not be assessed in the means test; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24203/24]

Heather 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.

I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 22 September 2023. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, her DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 11 November 2023. They were given the right to request a review and/or to appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

I can confirm that the person concerned requested an appeal of the decision of 11 November 2023 and an appeal is currently ongoing in this case. The SWAO will notify the person concerned directly of the outcome of the appeal.

A request for an additional review of the case containing supporting documentation was received from the Deputy, on behalf of the person concerned on 30 April 2024. Following the review, the original decision was upheld. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 27 May 2024.

While the person was not disallowed on the grounds of means, the changes on disregarding child maintenance in the social welfare means test represents a significant reform and will be of great benefit to many welfare recipients.

Amendments to both primary and secondary legislation, as well as changes to some of the Department’s systems, application forms and processes are required. Work to implement the changes to the means test is at a very advanced stage and an implementation date is expected to be announced very shortly.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.