Erin McGreehan (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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147. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection his plans to introduce an annual cost of disability support payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8430/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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This government is committed to improving outcomes for disabled people and recognise that they can face significant additional costs in their daily lives. As a result, Budget 2025 brought forward an extensive range of cost of living measures to support people with disabilities. These included:

• October 2024 cost of living bonus for people in receipt of a long term weekly social welfare payment.
• €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people in receipt of Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension, paid in November 2024.
• €300 cost of living lump sum payment to all households getting Fuel Allowance, paid in November 2024.
• €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase, paid in November 2024.
• €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting a Child Support Payment, paid for each qualified child in November 2024.
• Christmas bonus to all persons in receipt of a long-term disability payment paid in December 2024.
• €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments from January 2025. There are proportionate increases for people on a reduced rate.
• Weekly rates of Child Support Payment increased by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 and over, and by €4 to €50 for under 12s in January 2025.