John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will commission an impact assessment on the effects of the austerity measures on the lives of persons with disabilities, in view of the very real link between disability and poverty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11660/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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My Department is preparing an analysis of the distributive and poverty impacts on families of the Budget 2012 tax and welfare package, in conjunction with the Department of Finance. This analysis is currently being finalised. I will arrange for the analysis to be published on the Department's website in March 2012, in line with the arrangements I put in place last year.

There are no plans to conduct any further assessments at this time.

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 115: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she adequately dialogued with disability organisations prior to implementing cuts affecting the lives of persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11662/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In my discussions with my colleagues in Government about measures announced in Budget 2012, I had regard to any views expressed by disability organisations as well as other welfare representative organisations generally. In this regard, I held a Pre-Budget Forum on 16th September 2011. This was attended by 34 organisations, including organisations representing people with disabilities, and I and my officials had the opportunity to listen carefully to the groups' proposals relating to Budget 2012.