Máire Devine (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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1805. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware that lipoedema (details supplied) is not recognised as a disability in Ireland even though it can severely impact mobility in patients as young as their early 20s; if she plans to recognise lipoedema as a disability, or would consider doing so, thus enabling sufferers to qualify for social housing transfers with medical priority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18910/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy for this question and acknowledge the challenges associated with lipoedema as a condition, not least in relation to mobility.

It is important to note that while eligibility criteria for different schemes and supports offered by the state can differ, in broad terms we do not define disability by way of reference to individualised impairments or medicalised diagnoses. For instance, the Disability Act 2005 interprets disability as meaning a “substantial restriction in the capacity of the person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the State or to participate in social or cultural life in the State by reason of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual disability”.

This definition takes a broadly functional approach to disability, recognising that an individual's specific circumstances, societal barriers, and medical history will all have an impact on the extent to which a person is or is not "disabled". This is in line with the social model approach to disability set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It also provides a more flexible definition to health and social care practitioners where specialised health needs can be addressed in a manner that is not tied to a prescriptive list of conditions - which runs the risk of inadvertently excluding people from recognition or supports.

Specific issues relating to lipoedema as a medical issue lie outside of my Department’s remit and fall instead under the remit of the Department of Health. Entitlements and eligibility related to social housing are the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.