Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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508. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for proposing to introduce a tiered reform of the disability allowance; what steps are being taken to ensure that this reform is not contrary to the interests of people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55305/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Green Paper on Disability Reform was developed as a response to commitments under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, the Pathways to Work Strategy and the Make Work Pay Report and to take account of the recommendations in the Cost of Disability Report. The Roadmap for Social Inclusion commitment was to develop and consult on a proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments.

The main proposal of the Green Paper is to move to a three-tiered Personal Support Payment, rather than the one-size-fits-all payments we currently have.

As you know, people with disabilities in Ireland face a higher risk of poverty and have lower employment rates than other EU countries. The tiered proposal in the Green Paper attempts to address these twin challenges through a more targeted allocation of supports rather than thinly spreading our resources.

First, it seeks to better insulate disabled people who cannot work from poverty by providing for higher rates of payment. Second, it seeks to encourage and support higher levels of employment for people with disabilities by tailoring the provision of employment supports to suit people’s capabilities.

This proposal aligns with the Cost of Disability report, which found that income supports should target those most in need and who face the greatest additional costs of disability and that government policy should facilitate employment among those who can work.

I want to assure the Deputy that the intention is to simplify and make the social welfare system work better for people with disabilities. It is not contrary to the interests of people with disabilities. It will enhance the income support for some and enhance the employment supports available for others. I want to make it clear that nobody will lose their entitlement to a disability payment arising from the Green Paper proposals, nor will they see that payment level reduced. In addition, engagement with public employment services will be on a voluntary basis.

This is not a cost-cutting measure, many people will see significant increases to their payment of over €45 per week. At a conservative estimate, the proposed increases in payment rates for tiers 1 and 2 would cost an additional €130 million each year.

I would like to emphasise that the Green Paper is not a final design. It is a consultation document and as such is only a starting point for a structured discussion on what the future of long-term disability payments could look like. It offers one possible approach on how to target limited resources. Its proposals are intended to invite discussion, debate, and suggestions.

I am very mindful of our commitment under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to consult closely with and actively involve disabled people and their representative groups in changes to policies and services that will impact them. That is what my officials are doing through this consultation process and the many events they have held online and in-person over the past few months.

I encourage all those with an interest to express their views in our public consultation by making a submission in writing or by video. It is essential that we hear from as many disabled people and representatives as possible. We would like to hear what people like and don't like about the proposals and suggestions on how they could be improved or replaced with alternatives. I have extended the consultation period until 15 March 2024 to ensure everyone has adequate time to make a submission.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

A person can be considered to be providing full-time care and attention where they are engaged in employment, self-employment or on training courses for a maximum of 18.5 hours per week, provided that they can show to the satisfaction of a deciding officer that adequate care has been provided for the care recipient in their absence.

Where a person is engaged in employment and paid monthly, a schedule of hours may be requested from the employer of the person concerned. The schedule of hours requests a breakdown of hours worked and pay received per week.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.