Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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1264.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the outcome of her consultation on introducing a cost of disability payment, and whether a report will be available to her on practical options in time for consideration in the forthcoming budget. [31563/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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I published the Green Paper on Disability Reform in September last year. The Green Paper sought to reform my Department's system of disability payments to better target supports and better account for the cost of disability. It did not propose a cost of disability payment.

The Green Paper was a consultation document. Feedback from the public consultation raised concerns about its proposals. In particular, people questioned whether it was appropriate to reform the system of disability payments and employment supports separate to a wider consultation of other challenges faced by people with disabilities, including housing, transport, health and education.

I listened to these concerns, and in April I announced that I would not proceed any further with the Green Paper proposals.

The Taoiseach has established a new Cabinet Committee on Children, Education and Disability. Any reform of disability payments will now be considered as part of this broader review of disability matters on a whole-of-Government basis. Officials in my Department are currently analysing the feedback collated during the Green Paper process. This feedback will be shared with the new Committee.

It must also be noted that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is co-ordinating the development of a new National Disability Strategy with a whole-of-Government approach. The costs of disability will be addressed within this strategy. My Department has been actively involved in the development of this new strategy.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.