Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister's statement that he will try to bring it forward as quickly as possible but time is up on this, and has been for a long time. It is important that a deadline is set within Government to ensure a scheme is put in place. An Indecon report commissioned by the Government on the additional cost of living with a disability stated the additional cost is €9,000 per annum, on average. That is before one considers the rate of inflation for the past year or 18 months. That report has not been acted upon either. In many cases, lip service is being paid to vulnerable people. We need to restore equality in order that everybody has a chance to live independently and participate fully in society. That is a right that we must uphold.

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