Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very fair issue. As she will be aware, we have increased the fuel allowance over the past 18 months or more, from approximately €600 to more than €1,000, and we have added the €200 electricity bill cut, which will also apply. The cost of disability report has been referred to the national disability inclusion strategy steering group, which the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, is chairing. That process will relate the report to policy on people with disabilities in particular and any additional costs they face over and above normal costs. In this environment, those costs are severe. As I said earlier, we are looking for a broad-based response to all these issues in order to help people.

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