Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 February 2026
747. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Social Protection if he is aware that the assessment form for disability allowance is being found by some families to discriminate against individuals with certain conditions (details supplied); if his Department has plans to address these apparent anomalies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9587/26]
View answerDisability 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 condition. The medical assessment process for DA is not based solely on the type of disability that the person has but rather it depends on the degree to which their disability restricts them from doing work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualification. Each applicant is assessed on their own medical evidence and in their own circumstances. Under Social Welfare legislation, it is a Deciding Officer (DO) who decides on a person’s eligibility for social welfare schemes, including DA. In arriving at their decision, a DO will review all evidence available to them. In relation to medical eligibility, the assessment is based on medical reports and other evidence provided by the applicant and the applicant’s own doctor. The DO will also have regard to the opinion of a Departmental Medical Assessor (MA).
My Department’s MAs are fully qualified medical practitioners who have experience and specialist training and qualifications in occupational medicine as well as in human disability evaluation. They provide a second opinion to that of the applicant’s own doctor for the guidance of the DO.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 18 November 2025. Based on all the information available, their claim was refused as they were deemed not to satisfy the qualifying medical criteria for the scheme. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision in a letter dated 30 December 2025. They were also notified of their entitlement to request a review and / or to appeal the decision.
The person has lodged an appeal with the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). At present no decision has been made by the SWAO and they will contact the person concerned directly in writing with the outcome of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
