John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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663. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if consideration will be given to adding inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, to the list of conditions eligible for disability allowance, given that it is a lifelong illness with no known cure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16662/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Eligibility for the Disability Allowance 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.

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.

All applications for Disability Allowance are individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. The 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.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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664. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will consider removing the means test for disability allowance, to prevent financial dependence and vulnerability among people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16663/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Disability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a disability who are aged between 16 and 66. In order to be eligible, the disability must be expected to last for at least one year. The allowance is also subject to a means test, a medical assessment and a habitual residency requirement.

Estimated expenditure on Disability Allowance for 2025 is expected to be almost €2.4 billion for 168,000 recipients.

The purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need for income supports by the State. According to Census 2022 data, over 1.1 million people declared to have a disability. Removing the means test for Disability Allowance could result in a significant increase in recipient numbers which would have impacts on the money available to support other vulnerable cohorts.

It should be noted that Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This is compared to €20,000 for most social welfare payments.

People on Disability Allowance can take up employment or self-employment and continue to receive all or part of their social welfare payment, depending on their income. A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate of Disability Allowance and up to €517.60 a week and still keep their entitlement to the minimum rate of payment and their secondary benefits.

A review of means testing in the Department is underway. The outcome of the review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing. All prospective changes to means testing arrangements will have to be considered in both an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.