Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 September 2026
116. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will review social welfare income and eligibility thresholds for people who are medically certified as unfit to work due to severe long-term illnesses, such as multiple sclerosis, with a view to ensuring they are not excluded from necessary financial supports. [69235/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those unable to work due to illness or disability. These include insurance-based schemes, based on Pay Related Social Insurance contributions, for example Invalidity Pension and means-tested social assistance schemes, for example Disability Allowance.
Eligibility for the Department's income supports is not dependent on the type or category of illness or disability. Rather, entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who are covered by PRSI contributions. To qualify, the person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months; or must be permanently incapable of work. A person must satisfy both medical and social insurance conditions.
Disability Allowance is a payment for people who are aged between 16 and 66 with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
All applications for the Department's income support schemes are individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. The assessment is based on the medical information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant and takes into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessor.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
