Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 December 2025
551. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if a teacher employed by the Department of Education and youth can access disability allowances if they are in receipt of illness related early pension payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69583/25]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability. Entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness but on the extent to which a particular illness 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 information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant and taking into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessors.
Invalidity Pension is a social insurance payment for people aged under 66 who cannot work due a long-term illness or disability. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months or must be permanently incapable of work.
Pay Related Social Insurance contributions at Class A, E, H and S are reckonable for Invalidity Pension. Claimants must have 260 weeks of qualifying paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance and 48 weeks of paid or credited PRSI contributions in the last or second-last complete contribution year before the ‘relevant date’ – this is the date of the start of the person’s permanent incapacity for work as determined by the department.
If a person has insufficient PRSI contributions, they can apply for a social assistance scheme, for example, Disability Allowance, which 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 purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need for income supports by the State. However, even where a person has some means, from for example, illness related early pension, they may still qualify for a payment.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, please contact my officials so that the person's circumstances can be reviewed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
