Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Indecon Cost of Disability report highlighted that there is not a single typical ‘cost of disability’; rather there is a spectrum from low additional costs to extremely high extra costs of disability, depending on the individual circumstances of the person concerned. It also highlighted that the cost of disability is significantly broader than the income support system and includes housing, equipment, transport, medicines and care. The report therefore suggested the issue needs a whole-of-government response.

The Department of Social Protection provides income supports for people with disabilities. The main long term disability payment supports are Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension. The combined number of recipients of these payments was 216,000 as of April 2023.

Based on the current recipients of disability payments, the estimated costs associated with introducing a cost-of-disability payment of €20, €25, €30, €40 and €50 per week/annum would be:

The 2022 census suggests there are 1.1 million people experiencing at least one long-lasting condition or difficulty, therefore the costs estimated above are likely to be significantly higher.

I will continue to keep the range of supports provided by this Department under review. However, any changes to the current supports provided, or the introduction of new payments as suggested by the Deputy, would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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406. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will review the criteria for the additional needs payment to ensure that money saved to pay for items such as funeral and headstone costs are exempt from inclusion as income or savings in the application process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29210/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or from other personal and household resources.

All of the relevant circumstances of the case are taken into consideration by an officer of the community welfare service when deciding the level of support required. The decision process involves consideration of the nature of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.

The current assessment process used in determining Additional Needs Payment claims is a fair and equitable approach as it ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.

An application can also be made under the scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.

Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.