Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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202. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the cost of disability payment will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17465/26]

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 to improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing more permanent measures.

The Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people including a commitment to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment. These commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.

Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from Disability groups and advocates, it was agreed to establish a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability. While it is led by my Department, it includes other Government departments in this cross-government endeavour, as well as disabled people and their advocates.

On Friday 20 February, I launched a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered. It will run until the 7th April. All interested parties are encouraged to visit gov.ie/COD where they will find guidance on how to engage with the consultation in whatever format best suits them. The associated guidance document sets out a number of questions that people may wish to consider in preparing their submissions.

Following on from the consultation, on the 13th May, I will chair a Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit. The Summit will provide a space for key stakeholders such as Disabled Person's Organisations and officials from across government to input into the design of a new cost of disability payment. It will also provide a space to identify ways that all Government Departments and Agencies can make changes to lower the cost of disability in the future. This whole of government approach is important as we know addressing these costs is not simply a matter of income supports alone but require improvements in the delivery of and access to key services.

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.