Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 April 2026
364. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has consulted with disability rights groups on the call to raise the base rate of disability allowance to €350 per week; and if he supports the continued means testing of this allowance. [31788/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. Disability Allowance 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 allowance is also subject to a means test, a medical assessment, and a habitual residency requirement.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €10 increase in the weekly rates of payment, bringing the personal rates of payment to €254 per week from January 2026. As a result, there has been a €51 increase to weekly disability income support payments since Budget 2021. In addition, I provided for the highest ever increases in the Child Support Payment – an increase of €16 to €78 for children aged 12 or over, and of €8 to €58 for children under 12.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for means-tested social assistance schemes, all income and assets belonging to the claimant, and his or her spouse/partner where applicable, is assessable for means testing purposes. The purpose of the means test is to ensure that resources are directed to those with the greatest need for income supports by the State.
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 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. People on Disability Allowance can take up employment or self-employment and continue to receive all or part of their social welfare payment, depending on their income.
A person can earn up to €165 a week and keep their full rate of Disability Allowance. Earnings between €165 and €375 from employment are assessed at 50%, and any earnings over €375 are fully assessed as means. This means that a person can earn up to €527.60 a week and still keep their entitlement to the minimum rate of Disability Allowance and their secondary benefits.
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.
Officials in my Department are in regular consultation with Disability groups and advocates, through the Disability Consultative Forum and other fora.
Any further changes to payment rates or the means test can only be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
