1945. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will undertake a review of the €20,000 PhD stipend disregard for recipients of disability allowance and blind pension; whether consideration is being given to aligning the disregard with current publicly funded PhD stipend rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55060/26]

Supporting disabled people is a key priority for the Government.  My Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to illness or disability.

Disability Allowance is a means tested social assistance scheme for people aged 16 up to the age of 66, and is also subject to a medical assessment and habitual residency requirement.

Blind Pension is a means-tested social assistance scheme paid to people who are blind or have low vision, aged 18 up to the age of 66 who are habitually resident in the State.

My Department seeks to support persons in receipt of Disability Allowance and Blind Pension to pursue educational or training opportunities.  As a result there are a number of scholarships including those awarded by certain charitable organisations, which are not assessed as part of the means test for any social welfare payment.

A PhD stipend disregard was introduced effective from 2021, for persons in receipt of Disability Allowance and from 2022 for persons in receipt of Blind Pension who have been granted a bursary, stipend or scholarship towards completing a PhD.  An annual disregard of €20,000 was introduced with the disregard available for a maximum of four years.

Any income in excess of the disregard of €20,000 is assessed as means for the purposes of claiming Disability Allowance or Blind Pension.

Any changes to means testing arrangements can only be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.