42% are refused disability allowance at first go

Figures show that two-thirds of applications for Disability Allowance that were initially rejected were later granted on appeal.

The figures provided by the Department of Social Protection also show that 42% of initial applications for the payment were also refused, with the Disability Federation of Ireland querying the methods used in determining who receives Disability Allowance.

As of the end of last year, 126,203 people were in receipt of Disability Allowance.