Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Census 2022 data indicates that there are 1.1 million people with at least one long-lasting condition. While I would love to be in a position where I had unlimited resources, providing a weekly payment of €350 to such a large number of people would not be sustainable. Even if I could, such an approach would also be unfair because people with disabilities are not one single group with identical challenges and needs. Disability exists across a spectrum and also affects people from all walks of life and backgrounds. That is one of the reasons we have a system of means tests and occupational assessments. They help to target resources to where they are needed most.

I acknowledge that the current system is outdated and overdue a change. It has been in place for decades and throughout that time we know that people with disabilities have faced higher rates of unemployment and poverty. That is why I want to generate ideas and discussion on how we can change the system so that we can increase the payments and improve employment outcomes.

The Green Paper is a starting point for discussion on the future of long-term disability payments. It sets out the issues faced by people with disabilities and proposes one way in which the existing system of incomes support might be changed. It does this to help move the debate on from what does not work to what might work.

I want to emphasise again that nobody will have their payment reduced nor will anybody lose their entitlement to a disability payment. In fact, in the approach set out, we want to help focus the discussion where many people would see their payment increase by more than €45 per week.

I would also like to emphasise that the system is not based on the UK model. The approach taken in the UK was designed to reduce the number of people in receipt of a disability payment and to reduce costs. This is not the case here and it is certainly not my intention. As I have said, if the approach set out in the Green Paper was to be implemented, many people would see their payments increase. I am glad to have the opportunity to set the record straight this evening.

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