Return to disability pension
Patricia Ryan asks about the promise to fast-track a return to disability or invalidity pension for people whose work attempts fail, including those with fluctuating illnesses. The Social Protection Minister says recent budget changes allow more earnings without affecting payments and will consider the specific point further.
On page 79 of the programme for Government there is a promise to fast-track "the return to Disability or Invalidity Pension for people where employment opportunities do not succeed." I have spoken to many people over the past two years who are on long-term sickness payments. They would love to give work a try but the risk of putting themselves in severe financial difficulty is too great. There are some who live with illnesses and who experience flare-ups. What progress is being made on this promise and can those who are intermittently unable to work due to flare-ups be included in any solution?
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. In the recent budget, I made some changes in respect of those on disability payments in order that they can earn more without it affecting their payments. I will have to take the particular issue the Deputy raised away with me and I will revert to her.