Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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140. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the action she will take on the commitment to protect persons with disabilities by implementing a number of the ten points recommended by the Disability Federation of Ireland relevant to her Department, namely increasing disability payments by €20 per week as an interim measure to offset the cost of disability; restoring the respite grant to pre-austerity levels by increasing it by €325 per annum; making all employment activation programmes eligible to persons with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32289/15]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Any increases in social welfare rates can only be considered in the context of the Budget and estimates process.

A €20 increase per week in the rate of disability payments would cost approximately €254 million in a full year, while in relation to the respite care grant (RCG), the estimated cost of increasing the RCG by €325, from €1,375 to €1,700, is €29.4 million in a full year.

The Government recognises the importance of increasing participation in employment for persons with a disability, and its commitment in this regard will be reflected in the forthcoming Comprehensive Employment Strategy for people with disabilities.