Ann Graves (Dublin Fingal East, Sinn Fein)
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514. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection to please review the case of a person (details supplied) in the hope that his son can maintain his social welfare because of the extenuating circumstances. [56644/25]

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.

The Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is continued entitlement. In this case, a means review of the DA claim commenced on 29 August 2024.

The person concerned provided some, but not all, of the information that was requested. A follow up letter then issued on 17 October 2024 informing him of the information that was still required to complete the means review.

Means are any income belonging to the person in receipt of DA and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income. Means include earnings from employment, financial assets and amounts held in a bank account.

On 06 November 2024, a means review was carried out and the person concerned was assessed with weekly means of €132.50, effective from 23 October 2024. This led to the DA payment for the person concerned reducing to €99.50. They were also notified of their right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision.

The person concerned is currently in receipt of a reduced rate of DA of €111.50 per week.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.