1133. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of disability allowance who have lost employment due to Covid-19. [9361/20]

Disability allowance (DA) is a payment for persons between the ages of 16 and 66 with a specified disability which is expected to last at least 1 year, and who by reason of that disability, are substantially restricted in undertaking work suitable to their age, qualifications and experience. Applicants must also satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.

The DA scheme is structured to encourage recipients to avail of opportunities to engage in work where this is appropriate, either in self-employment or in insurable employment.

The number of persons in receipt of DA at the end of April was 149,395.  Of DA recipients, 4,442 have received at lease one Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP).

Statistics relating to the number of DA recipients who have lost employment are not held.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.