Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. We are all aware of the extra costs people face because of disability. Some of these are once-off costs and some are yearly but largely they are day-to-day and week-to-week costs. This report mentions everything from housing adaption costs to hearing aids, travel costs, utility bills, home help and so on. There is really good analysis of these extra costs in the report. For example, the extra cost in respect of food is almost 9%. For fuel and light, it is almost 10% and, for household durable goods, nearly 20%. The report goes through these issues and tells us the types of extra costs people face. It says that the average is approximately €8,000 per annum but that varies depending on the disability involved. For certain types of disability, for example, visual impairment, the extra costs total €13,500. We know what the issues are and we know the costs. I am asking what steps we are taking right now.

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