Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

Is the review referred to by the Minister the same as that of the disability allowance scheme, which is due at the end of December 2007? The Minister is obviously aware that an EU study in 2005 found that persons with a chronic illness or disability are twice as likely to be in a position of consistent poverty compared with other members of the population. In light of this, will the Minister's review include and will he consider the introduction of a cost of disability payment? I believe this is the only method of addressing the extra expenses which a person with a disability has, compared with another member of the population. Has the Minister given any consideration to introducing this payment?

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