Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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284. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider allowing persons with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia and in receipt of disability allowance on this basis, to work minimal hours similar to carer’s allowance, from the point of improving mental health without fear of suffering a loss of entitlements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28011/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions, and means-tested social assistance schemes.

Eligibility for the Departments income support schemes, such as Disability Allowance, is not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability. Rather, entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.

Disability Allowance is a payment for people who are aged between 16 and 66 with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. The allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.

Recipients of Disability Allowance can take up employment or self-employment and may continue to receive their income support.

Disability Allowance is structured to support recipients to avail of work opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment. When an individual commences employment, they can avail of an income disregard of €165 per week. In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test.

The earnings disregard for recipients of Disability Allowance has increased by almost 38% over the last four budgets from €120 to €140 to €165 currently. This enables a person to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. A person can currently earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €505.10 and keep a small portion of their payment and keep their secondary benefits, if applicable.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.