Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
648. Deputy Joanna Byrne asked the Minister for Social Protection if the Government is actively considering any changes to means testing of a social welfare payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17234/26]
View answerDisability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement. The means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property – other than the family home – and capital.
Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This compares with €20,000 for most social welfare payments.
Over the last five budgets the Government has progressively improved payment rates and income disregards for disabled people. The weekly payment rates for Disability Allowance have increased by €51 in that time. The earnings disregard has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently.
This enables those in receipt of Disability Allowance to earn more without having a negative impact on their means tested payment. This means that people can earn up to €165 per week and keep their payment in full and can earn up to €527.60 per week and keep a portion of their payment.
The Programme for Government commits to reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test.
My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all its social assistance schemes. The outcome of this review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing. Any changes to means testing arrangements can only be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
