Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 February 2026
729. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection whether compensation following an accident is taken into consideration during the income assessment for disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8122/26]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability, aged between 16 and 66, whose disability is expected to last for at least one year. Entitlement is subject to medical assessment, means test, and habitual residence conditions.
Means are assessed in accordance with Social Welfare legislation. They include any income belonging to the claimant and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant; property other than the family home; and assets that could yield income, such as savings, investments, or occupational pensions.
The value of capital is assessed on a tapered basis for DA, with the first €50,000 fully disregarded and further amounts assessed as follows:
• Next €10,000: €1 per €1,000
• Next €10,000: €2 per €1,000
• Balance over €70,000: €4 per €1,000
Social welfare legislation provides specific exemptions for certain compensation payments, which are fully disregarded in the means test. These disregards include, for example, all income derived from payments awarded by the Hepatitis C and HIV Compensation Tribunal, the Residential Institutions Redress Board and payments made in relation to disability caused by Thalidomide.
In addition, ex gratia payments made to women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries, or through the Symphysiotomy Payment Scheme, or payments made by the Minister of Health in accordance with recommendations proposed by the Scoping Inquiry into the CervicalCheck Screening Programme are also disregarded.
Compensation or court awards not specifically provided for in legislation are assessed under the normal means rules.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, details may be forwarded to the Disability Allowance Section for examination.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
