Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
528. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to increase the €165 threshold in respect of the disability allowance; and the research his Department has carried out in respect of the labour activation potential of revising the threshold upwards. [15833/25]
View answerDisability Allowance and Blind Pension have been structured to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue employment, be that self-employment or insurable employment. When an individual commences employment, an income disregard of €165 per week is applied. In addition, 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 is also disregarded for the purpose of the means test. A person can earn a maximum of €517.60 per week and still keep a portion of their social welfare payment.
The earnings disregard for recipients of Disability Allowance and Blind Pension has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. This enables those on the scheme to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. However, any changes or improvements to these disregards can only be considered in an overall budgetary context.
The Department has not carried out any research in respect of the labour activation potential of revising the threshold upwards. However this is something that I will speak to Department officials about.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
