Dr. Amy Hassett:

This is something that we spend a lot of time thinking about. If I could recommend one key change, the programme for Government outlined that the Government intended to introduce a cost-of-disability payment. We did not see that come about in budget 2026, which is a real frustration for us. If I were to recommend one key change that we could implement in a very short period, it is introducing a cost-of-disability payment. Right now, we have a situation whereby disabled people want to get into work but there are additional costs. I think Ms Greham explained well the additional costs of transportation and things like this. It is a thing that the Government has expressed its intention to do. It would be a fantastic thing to do.

The other thing that we have advocated for for many years, and will continue to advocate for, is a removal of means testing. Currently, as the situation stands, somebody's disability allowance begins to be reduced at the point at which they start earning in excess of €165 a week, which is very little money. The second thing we would advocate for is a removal of means testing, or, at the very least - and it can be done quickly - increasing the income disregard in excess of €165.

Why is this a gendered issue? There are a lot of different explanations for that. Ms Kearns explained that pretty well. A huge part of this that we need to contend with, and this is a problem in general for women's participation in the labour market, is the need for flexibility in working arrangements. I lived in the Netherlands for two years. The thing I always say to people is that over there I had many colleagues who worked a four-day week and were able to afford to live independently in their own homes, irrespective of whether they were disabled or not. I do not know of anybody in Ireland who is able to work a four-day week and live independently. Perhaps if they are not the primary earner or if they have another earner in their household, it is possible. If we can create a more flexible work system, that is going to work for disabled people, but it is also going to work for those who have caregiving responsibilities and for parents, and very often these are the same people. The vast majority of disabled women are parents and have those caregiving responsibilities. Creating a more flexible work system whereby somebody can work four days a week or can work from home and things like this would make a massive difference. I do not know if Ms Kearns has anything to add to that.