Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)

Budget 2026 was an insult to people with disabilities. Cost-of-living measures have been pulled and a miserable €10 per week increase in the disability allowance payment was all the Minister could offer. The Disability Federation of Ireland estimates this amounts to a €1,400 drop in income for people with disabilities; a group who are already at increased risk of poverty. The federation's research shows that households with a disabled member require, on average, 50% extra disposable income to achieve the same standard of living as a similar household with no disabled members. The Minister knew all of this but he made a political choice to abandon people with disabilities in this budget and to push even more people into poverty. The Government has to recognise the fact that living with a disability comes with increased costs and people need supports that reflect that. The Minister said he does recognise this and he wants to introduce a cost of disability payment in future, but that is no comfort to people with disabilities in the here and now who will struggle to pay their bills this winter.

I hosted the Brothers of Charity Galway advocacy council in Leinster House recently. Their representatives gave a presentation in the audiovisual room where they spoke about the increased costs they face to maintain a decent quality of life. They raised issues such as the cost and frequency of applying for disabled parking permits, the cost of repeated essential blood tests that are not covered by their medical cards and the cost of essential and accessible transport, to name but a few. All of these items add up. They are not optional for people with disabilities and they are left with having to decide which essential items are prioritised.

Budget 2026 was an opportunity to ease cost pressures on people with disabilities but the Minister has decided to abandon them and saying there might be a better package down the line is out of touch. People need support now. Supporting people with disabilities is one of the most fundamental things we must do as a society. The Government must act now to provide adequate financial support.

The Minister has committed to abolishing the means test for carers but the investment in this budget has not been sufficient. It will take the Government over a decade to abolish the means test if it continues at this pace. This also needs to be reconsidered. Big promises were made to carers during the general election; they need to be treated with respect and the Government needs to live up to them.

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