John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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1055. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of research being commissioned into the cost of disability as per budget 2019; the timeframe for the report to be completed and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44676/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As part of Budget 2019, I announced my intention to commission research into the cost of disability. This is the first step in reaching an in-depth understanding of this complex issue.

Indecon International Consultants have been commissioned to carry out the research and are expected to submit an interim report shortly. Their work programme to date has included the following elements:-

- An International review of existing research, including approaches to defining ‘cost of disability’ and government responses to costs of disability.

- Indecon have also invited submissions from representative organisations, and have received a number of submissions. By way of follow up to this process, Indecon are proposing to meet organisations that have made submissions.

As part of the "mixed-method" (top-down and bottom-up) approach. The research will include a range of methodologies for example the Standard of Living (SOL) approach using econometric analysis of data from household survey data to estimate a model linking living standards to incomes.

In addition the study will include a direct measurement method using survey based data of the experience of people with disabilities. As part of the stakeholder engagement programme element a survey will be issued to 33,000 recipients of DEASP disability-related payments. This will be followed up by structured interviews with a small sample of persons with a disability or with their families. This very large sample is designed to ensure that the different costs incurred by individuals with a disability are taken into account.

It is expected that this research, when complete by the end of the year, will provide a roadmap to inform policy direction in the future – from a whole-of-Government perspective – in relation to the adequate provision of support to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.