Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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1159. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if response will issue to matters raised in correspondence arising from the recent Budget (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58018/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people. That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments in this area.

In addition, the recent Budget includes a number of measures to support disabled people. Rates of payment for schemes such as Disability Allowance will be increased by €10 per week from January bringing the maximum personal weekly rate of payment to €254 per week. In addition there will be a Christmas bonus of a double week payment in December. There are also other important measures such as providing for the retention of Fuel Allowance for up to five years where a person moves off Disability Allowance and into employment.

The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.

We know that addressing the cost of disability is not a question of income support alone. The delivery of and access to services are also key. We need all Departments and agencies of Government to work together to address the issue in a comprehensive way.

That is why the Taoiseach set up a Cabinet Committee on Disability and a dedicated programme office within his own Department. In addition, the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 takes a whole-of-Government approach.

My Department has responsibility to lead a Strategic Focus Network on the cost of disability, with the involvement of relevant Departments and Agencies. The work of this network will also include disabled people and their advocates. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year.

The Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources.

Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to Supplementary Welfare Allowance is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for Additional Needs Payments can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.