Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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254. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will issue in relation to an application (details supplied) for disability allowance to be restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54023/25]

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.

Following their application for DA, the person concerned was issued an information request by the Department on 23 July 2025 seeking additional information on their income.

The person concerned returned this information and their claim has been referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to complete a fresh assessment of means, as they have not been in payment of their DA since November 2024.

Once the SWI returns their report, a decision will issue directly to the person concerned, without delay. In the meantime, the person concerned can apply to their local Community Welfare Officer for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment if they are in need of financial assistance.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.