Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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597. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to review the qualifying criteria for disability allowance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7640/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Eligibility for the Department’s income support schemes is not dependent on the type or category of 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.

Every application for the Department's schemes is individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. Assessment is based on the medical information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant, and taking into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessor.

Any future changes to the scheme would have to be considered in a wider budgetary and policy context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.