2030. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) will receive approval for disability benefit payment, given that they were in receipt of the benefit previously; and the current status of the persons recent application. [61482/26]

Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly payment available to people aged 16 years and over and under 66 years of age who have a specified disability that is expected to last for at least one year. Entitlement to the scheme is subject to the person satisfying the medical qualifying conditions, a means test, and the habitual residence condition.

I can confirm that the person concerned was in receipt of Disability Allowance from 20 February 2002 until 20 July 2021.

Following a review of their claim, entitlement to Disability Allowance was disallowed from 21 September 2021 as the person concerned failed to provide sufficient information to enable their means to be assessed. Information was requested by a Deciding Officer on 3 August 2021; however, no response was received. Further correspondence issued on 21 September 2021 also went unanswered.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 12 October 2021 and was advised of their right to seek a review of the decision and/or to appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

The Department subsequently received a new application for Disability Allowance from the person concerned on 15 January 2026. Following examination of the application and supporting documentation, the claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition for the scheme was not satisfied and because sufficient information was not provided to enable a means assessment to be completed. Additional information was requested by a Deciding Officer on 23 January 2026, but no response was received.

The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 2 March 2026 and was again advised of their right to seek a review and/or appeal the decision. No request for a review or appeal was subsequently received.

In order for entitlement to Disability Allowance to be considered, a completed application form must be submitted so that eligibility can be fully assessed and a formal decision made. To date, no further application has been received from the person concerned. An application form has recently been issued to them.

Following receipt of this enquiry, my department made contact with the person concerned on 01 September, and they have now agreed to forward the required means documentation and further medical evidence to support their application. When the information is received, a review will be completed by a deciding officer as quickly as possible.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.