Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 June 2026
19. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he has given consideration to review and/or increase supports for self-employed people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46284/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting disabled people is a key priority. Many of my Department’s disability-related schemes have been structured to support recipients to pursue employment opportunities, be that self-employment or insurable employment.
A person in receipt of Disability Allowance or Blind Pension who pursues employment or self-employment can avail of an income disregard of €165 per week. As a result, a person can earn up to €527.20 a week and keep a portion of their payment and retain their Department of Social Protection secondary benefits.
The Partial Capacity Benefit scheme allows a person who is in receipt of Invalidity Pension or those on Illness Benefit for more than six months to enter or return to employment or self-employment and continue to receive a partial or full payment. Partial Capacity Benefit has also been designed so that there are no restrictions or limits on earnings or on the number of hours a person can work.
The Back to Work Enterprise Allowance scheme has been designed to support persons, including disabled people, to take up self-employment opportunities. It allows a person to retain 100% of their payment in year one and 75% in year two, including any increases for a qualified adult, or a child support payment. A person may also be able to avail of the Enterprise Support Grant, up to €2,500.
The Work and Access scheme offers seven supports to reduce barriers to the workplace. These supports include work coaches, workplace adaptation, equipment, and training. These supports have been approved in recent years and are now available to the self-employed, employers and employees for both remote and business premises.
The Programme for Government commits to work with employers and across Government to improve employment of people with disabilities and ensure that supports for entrepreneurs and enterprise are accessible to all, including disabled people.
In addition, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism, and Employment lead on the Employment Pillar of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. It includes a range of commitments to support disabled people to take up and retain work.
We have a joint commitment to develop a communications campaign to raise awareness surrounding all the employment supports available for disabled people. This is being developed by officials in both Departments.
The Strategy includes a commitment for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to promote inclusion and accessibility in entrepreneurship through the Local Enterprise Offices.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
