Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will deal with Deputy Tully's question later.

I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire for raising this matter. I am committed to addressing the cost of disability and improving outcomes for people with a disability. I announced a number of measures to support people with disabilities in budget 2024, including a €400 lump-sum payment in November, a Christmas bonus double payment in December, a cost-of-living bonus payment in January and a €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments. The free travel scheme is also being extended.

The Indecon report on the cost of disability identified that additional costs of disability run across many areas of expenditure, including housing, transport, health and education. The report found that there is a spectrum from low to high additional costs of disability, depending on individual circumstances. The report concluded that disability payments should be targeted to those most in need and who face the greatest additional cost of disability rather than spreading resources thinly.

Taking account of this analysis I commenced a consultation process on the Green Paper last September. Under the draft approach people with more profound challenges would receive a significantly higher level of payment. However, based on the feedback I have received to date, it is clear that there are significant concerns about the proposals, including with regard to how we would distinguish between people with significant challenges, attracting the higher level of payment, and other people with disabilities. Concerns were also raised about reforming the structure of long-term disability payments separately from a wider consideration of the other issues including access to education, transport and health.

Our new Taoiseach has placed a major emphasis on improving supports and services for people with disabilities in all aspect of their lives. He has announced his intention to establish a special Cabinet committee on disability. Accordingly, rather than proceeding further with the Green Paper process we will use the submissions received to inform this broader review of disability matters.

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