Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
752. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection the savings or capital thresholds that apply to disability allowance and related supports for persons with lifelong disabilities; if parental savings for the future care of a disabled child can affect entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39493/26]
View answerSupporting disabled people is a key priority for this Government. Both the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2030 include significant commitments in this regard.
Disability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. It 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 purpose of a means test is to ensure that scarce exchequer resources are directed to those with the greatest need. Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and their spouse or partner where applicable, is assessable. The means of the claimant's parents are not taken into account in determining the person's eligibility for Disability Allowance.
It is important to note that there are disregards in place in relation to certain income and assets for Disability Allowance.
Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by my Department. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This is compared to €20,000 for most social welfare payments. A person’s family home is not assessed as means.
The earnings disregard for Disability Allowance has increased by almost 38% since Budget 2021 from €120 to €165 currently. A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate of Disability Allowance. In fact, a person can earn up to €527.60 a week and still retain a minimum rate of Disability Allowance and their secondary benefits.
The Government recognises the additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed to improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures. That is why the Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability payment.
In addition, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from disability groups and advocates, includes a commitment to a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability, emphasising the cross-government nature of the issue.
I recently ran a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered. I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,000 submissions received.
The submissions helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I hosted on the 13th of May 2026. It was an in-person and on-line event attended by many people with disabilities, Disability Person Organisations and other advocacy groups as well as representatives of many Government Departments and members of the Oireachtas together with senior Government Ministers including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, the Minister of State for Disability and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. This attendance highlights that while the work on the cost of disability has been led by my Department, the delivery of a solution will involve a range of Departments and agencies.
Following the Summit, a briefing paper will be produced outlining the key learnings. These will inform the approach that will be taken, including actions to be included in the next round of Action Plans under the Strategy, and the measures that may be taken as part of Budget 2027. While the issue cannot be resolved in one budget cycle I, and my Government colleagues intend, to the best of our ability, to use the resources available in Budget 2027 to make a meaningful difference.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
