Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge our guests in the Visitors Gallery this morning. We know that a cost of disability payment is not a new concept. To achieve equality for people with disabilities, it is fundamental that the additional costs that come with disability are not paid by them alone. It is the responsibility of the State to cover those additional costs. The payment was originally recommended in 1996 and again in 2004, that is 26 years. It is a lot of Governments and a lot of time in which action has not been taken. The Cost of Disability report published last December revealed the amount that is required. It also found that meeting these higher costs is particularly difficult for the 152,000 people dependent on the disability allowance of €203 per week. The way in which social welfare payments are currently allocated is also a complete barrier to employment and financial independence. Supports such as disability allowance, invalidity pension, and the blind pension are reduced as soon as the person in question earns more than €140 a week, and for some that would also mean the loss of a medical card. That has to be looked at and changes have to be made. The more they earn, the more they lose.

The disability capacity review was published in July 2021 and is still awaiting an action plan. These reviews provide valuable information but without an action plan, nothing will change. It is past time for change. There has been a historical underspend in disability support services. We know that services are fragmented, there is a postcode lottery. We know all of that. There is a major job that needs to happen. All future investment into disability support services needs to be personalised and person-centred in line with the UNCRPD. It is a badly needed and massive increase in expenditure and it will not be achieved without a roadmap. Can the Minister of State be clear with us today on when exactly this action plan will be published?

We need to see action this year. Last year, people were disappointed because the plan was revealed but there was nothing in the budget. We need to see action in the budget this year.

I acknowledge the section 38 employees who are out on strike today. There is an issue there that must be addressed. On services, we know from dealing with people just how threadbare are the services. One ends up with emergency responses rather than a planned system. Emergency responses can be more expensive and chaotic. We cannot keep going on in that way. We need action on those two plans. We need to see action in the budget this year.

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