470. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway was not provided with an explanation as to the reason legitimate expenses were not taken into account by his Department during the review of their disability allowance; if detailed reasons will now be issued to the person stating the reason these legitimate expenses were disregarded,; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53623/26]

Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66.  This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and the habitual residency condition.

The Department periodically reviews claims in payment to ensure that there is continued entitlement.  In this case the means of the person concerned were reviewed.

Means are any income belonging to the person in receipt of Disability Allowance and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.

It is a condition for receipt of DA that every claimant shall furnish such certificates, documents, information and evidence as may be required for the purposes of determining means.

Following receipt of a Social Welfare Inspectors (SWI) report detailing previously undeclared sales income from seaweed sales for the years 2020–2025, the means belonging to the person concerned increased for the period mentioned.  This led to an overpayment raised against the person concerned to the value of €4,877.50.

The person concerned was notified on 17th October 2025 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The decision is currently under review following your representations.  To complete this review a request for further information issued 10th July 2026 to the person concerned.  Once this information is received the review will be completed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.