John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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426. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to reform the disability allowance payment and remove anomalies in the current means test for the payment as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27124/25]

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.

The Programme for Government commits to reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test.

This commitment will build on the progress already made. Over the last four budgets the Government has progressively improved payment rates and income disregards for disabled people. The earnings disregard has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. This enables those in receipt of Disability Allowance to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. It means that people can currently earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €517.60 per week and keep a small portion of their payment. The weekly payment rates for Disability Allowance have increased by €41 since Budget 2021.

My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all its social assistance schemes. The outcome of this 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 this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.