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

I thank Deputy Tully for raising this matter. As she will be aware, one of the main ideas in the Green Paper I published for consultation last year was to consolidate disability allowance, blind pension and invalidity pension into one single payment. I sought people's views on an approach to providing additional support to those most in need by increasing payments for those people with most profound challenges and, in so doing, to also address some inconsistencies between the payments. In line with our obligation under Article 4(3) of the UNCRPD, the Green Paper consultation process involved an extensive series of stakeholder events, public consultation events and bilateral meetings with disabled person's organisations and disability groups. Based on the feedback I received through this process, it is clear there are significant concerns about the proposals as set out and, in particular, as to whether it was appropriate to reform the system of disability payments separate to a wider consideration of other challenges faced by people with disabilities, including transport, education and access to employment.

Although it was also acknowledged that disability takes many forms and that the costs of disability vary along a spectrum, people were also concerned as to how, in practice, a distinction would be drawn between people with profound challenges attracting the higher rate of payment and other people with disabilities. I have listened to these concerns and will not therefore proceed to further develop the proposals to a White Paper or a Government decision stage. As a Government, we need to have a fresh look at how we can support people with disabilities. It is for this reason the Taoiseach has announced the establishment of a special Cabinet committee on disability with a major emphasis on improving supports and services for people with disabilities in all aspects of their lives. Any reform of disability payments will now be considered as part of this broader review of disability matters on a whole-of-government basis and will take account of the feedback received during the Green Paper process. Alongside this new Cabinet committee, a new national 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.

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