Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
350. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Social Protection for a summary of all recent changes to means tests for the disability allowance, including any changes to income disregards and maximum working hours. [53220/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability 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 conditions.
My Department continues to keep the range of income and employment supports under review. Any proposed changes to the supports provided must also be considered in an overall budgetary context.
I can confirm that a €25 per week increase in the DA earnings disregards from €140 to €165 per week, was introduced in Budget 2023 and commenced in January 2023.
Recognising that all work is rehabilitative, the DA scheme is structured to encourage recipients to avail of opportunities to engage in either insurable employment or self-employment. When an individual engages in work, they can avail of an income disregard of 100% of the first €165 earned per week. 50% of earnings between €165 and €375 are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test. Any amounts over €375 are assessed in full.
This disregard is available to all DA recipients who engage in employment and there are no restrictions on the hours worked each week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
