Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when the promised review of the cost of disability payment will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28869/08]

John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware the Department of Health and Children published a Sectoral Plan in 2006 as part of the implementation of Disability Act 2005. A review of year one of the Plan was published in December 2007. The Sectoral Plan establishes a system for the assessment of individual needs for people with a disability.

The Sectoral Plan also identifies key objectives in relation to income support and associated benefits for people with disabilities including an agreed protocol with the Department of Social and Family Affairs to develop income and related supports for people with disabilities in order to ensure that they have adequate, secure and sustainable income.

The Government is working towards ensuring that income supports and associated benefits do not create financial barriers to people with disabilities.

The Office for Disability and Mental Health is committed to considering the issues around the cost of disability following the development of the needs assessment system provided for in the Disability Act.

In the meantime, there is significant assistance currently available to mitigate the impact of the additional costs incurred by people with a disability. These measures include weekly/monthly allowances, additional income supports; other benefits such as medical cards, free travel, mobility allowance and tax concessions.