Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I acknowledge the work the Minister is doing, but people coming to my office have told me the disability allowance system has shown them that an illness is nearly starting to cost them money. More than 14,300 people in Carlow were recorded as experiencing at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty in census 2022, or 23% of the county's population. That is a huge issue. Moreover, according to the same data, one in five people is unable to work due to a disability and lives in constant poverty. I know the Minister is doing her best but we see this issue daily. We are members of the disability matters committee and we talk and listen to everyone who comes before us. I acknowledge the increase in the disability allowance and I welcome that, but we need to do a lot more.

See this speech in context