Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1766. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if he will introduce a weekly cost of disability payment of €55 to cover the additional costs facing people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41210/25]

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1846. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the plans to introduce a cost of disability payment as recommended by the 2021 Government commissioned Indecon Report and in view of the commitment in the Programme For Government to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability support payment to be increased incrementally over the lifetime of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43312/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1766 and 1846 together.

The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. We have also made commitments in relation to the rate of the Disability Allowance payment. Introducing a €55 weekly cost of disability payment to all recipients these schemes, based on current figures would cost an additional €656.4 million annually.

Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.