Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 232: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if consideration has been given to the pre-budget submission 2006 launched by the Disability Federation of Ireland; the actions open to his Department in response to the submission in consultation with other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29719/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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The Disability Federation of Ireland was one of over 30 representative organisations that attended this Department's pre-budget forum with me on 17 October 2005. At this forum, each organisation had the opportunity to present its key priorities for consideration in advance of budget 2006. I have also received the written submission from the Disability Federation of Ireland, which contains proposals relating to, inter alia, the introduction of a cost of disability payment; increases to the rate of disability allowance; mainstreaming and support for the voluntary sector.

My Department will consider the proposals submitted by the disability federation and will continue to progress the work currently ongoing with other Departments on policy issues relating to people with disabilities. In this regard, the work of the interdepartmental group established under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, chaired by the Department of Health and Children, and at which my Department is represented, is currently considering the feasibility of the introduction of a cost of disability payment. The introduction of a cost of disability payment is one of the priorities identified by the Disability Federation of Ireland in its pre-budget submission.

Any changes proposed in submissions received from representative organisations will, of course, have to be considered in the context of the wider social welfare budgetary package.