Ossian Smyth (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for all their contributions. First, I wish to address a point raised by Deputy Mattie McGrath. He asked about people who lose their medical cards after taking up employment. This matter was also raised by other Deputies. I reassure Deputies that if people take up work, they can retain their medical cards for three years.

The Minister, Deputy Humphreys, has sought to ensure that the interests of people with disabilities and carers remain a focus of her Department's priorities. She has worked to ensure they are properly supported, and has taken targeted measures to increase payment rates and earnings disregard, as well as to expand employment supports and secondary benefits. The Government has increased the weekly rate of disability payments by €29 over the last three budgets. To mitigate the rising cost of living, we have introduced lump-sum payments that totalled €900 over the last two winters. This increased to €2,000 for disabled people living alone and getting the fuel allowance. To improve employment for disabled people, this Government has increased the reasonable accommodation fund by €1 million and has allocated an additional €3.7 million to reduce the minimum required hours for the wage subsidy scheme from 21 hours to 15 hours per week. Last October, the Minister also announced that she is extending the free travel scheme for the first time to people medically unfit to drive.

The cost of disability report published by the Department of Social Protection in 2021 highlighted the need for a whole-of-government approach to tackling poverty and a wide range of economic and social issues faced by disabled people in Ireland. Issues such as access to health and social services, accessible transport and career guidance in schools for young people with disabilities require a holistic approach to addressing them. Negative attitudes in society need to be addressed to ensure people with disabilities can participate actively in work and all aspects of life. The Taoiseach has announced the setting up of the Cabinet committee on disability, and I think we all agree this is a very welcome development. Alongside this new Cabinet committee, a new disability strategy is being developed. This is being co-ordinated by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, with a whole-of-government approach. This is an important and timely piece of work that will set the direction of policy to improve outcomes for disabled people.

I note that the motion calls for the ratification of the optional protocol to the UNCRPD. I assure Deputies we are progressing with this and, in fact, the officials of the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, will this month convene an interdepartmental group to work through the issues arising and bring a renewed focus to the necessary enabling work to provide for the ratification of the optional protocol. Given the significance, complexity and breadth of the issues involved, all relevant Government Departments and the Office of the Attorney General will be invited to participate in the work of the group. The Minister will subsequently report to the Cabinet on the work of the group.

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