Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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236. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to examine the case of a person (details supplied) needing disability benefit approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5397/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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, a means test and the habitual residency conditions.

I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 09 September 2024. The application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 13 September 2024 for a report on the persons means and circumstances.

The SWI completed their report on 23 January 2025 and based on all the evidence supplied in support of this application, the claim was disallowed on the grounds that they were assessed with having weekly means of €454.08. These means were derived from her spouse's self-employment earnings. This assessment is in excess of the statutory means limit allowable for DA of €406.00, in this case.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 23 January 2025 and they were given the right to a review or an appeal.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.