John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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312. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for disability allowance will be approved for a person (details supplied). [10303/25]

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, means test and the habitual residency conditions.

The person concerned has been in receipt of DA since 18 November 2020 and had been assessed with means of €170.04 based on their partner's employment. They have been in receipt DA at a reduced rate of €223.50 per week.

The Department undertakes periodic reviews on DA entitlements. The case of the person concerned was sent to a Social Welfare Inspector who completed an examination of their financial position on 13 June 2024.

I can confirm that, following a review, it was found that the person concerned had an increase in means arising from an increase in her partner's income from employment. She was assessed with a new weekly means of €348.28. The person concerned was awarded a reduced rate of DA of €43.50, with effect from 17 July 2024. They were notified of this decision in writing on 6 July 2024 and were given the opportunity to request a review and/or to appeal this decision.

The client requested an appeal on 12 July 2024 and this was sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). The SWAO requested a file on this case on 16 August 2024 and this was submitted to the SWAO on 22 August 2024.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision imminently.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.