Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to acknowledge the many issues raised by Members. Many were raised at the committee and were reflected well here. One issue which was common to many of those who appeared at the committee is the cost of disability. I acknowledge there have been some increases in the budget for 2022 in some social welfare payments such as carer's allowance, carer's benefit etc.

However, the committee does not think this is enough to address specifically and systematically the cost of disability in line with the objective of achieving an adequate standard of living and social protection, as outlined in the UNCRPD. The committee recommends the introduction of a cost of disability payment to ensure disabled people have the same standard of living as non-disabled people and to ensure alignment with Article 8 of the UNCRPD. The pandemic unemployment payment has set a benchmark of €350 for the cost of living, but disabled people are expected to live on €205 or €208, as it may now be. That is not sufficient. There are many extra expenses for people with disabilities which need to be recognised.

Since its establishment, the committee has been focused on ensuring its work is informed by the lived experience and analysis of people with disabilities, their carers and disabled persons' organisations. This is important to the committee because we believe the voice that disabled persons have actively taken under the UNCRPD must continue to influence and inform policy and be heard by all sectors of society. It is crucial to the work of the committee, in a society which has marginalised and excluded disabled persons throughout time and history. This is the transformative power behind the motto: "Nothing about us without us", which the committee takes to heart.

I acknowledge that the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, have been here for the full debate.

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