Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
501. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware of the fact that at present there is no dedicated pathway for migrants with disabilities social support systems; if he will instruct his Department to create the necessary steps to ensure people with disabilities are given the support they need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14979/25]
View answerMy Department provides a number of income supports for people with a disability who are of working age. These include Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension. Both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are means tested social assistance schemes, while Invalidity Pension is a social insurance based scheme. These are part of the suite of working age payments. This Department does not have responsibility for social support systems.
Eligibility for the Department’s income support schemes 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.
Every application for the Department's schemes is individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. 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. In addition, persons must be habitually resident in Ireland to qualify for Disability Allowance. People who have come from Ukraine and who are covered by the Temporary Protection Directive will satisfy the Habitual Residence condition.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
