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Departmental Reports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 March 2022

Tuesday, 22 March 2022

Questions (23, 58)

Michael Moynihan

Question:

23. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the recommendations relevant to her Department within the Cost of Disability in Ireland report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14831/22]

View answer

Claire Kerrane

Question:

58. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps she will take to address the cost of disability considering the recent report on the issue which outlines the significant additional costs that persons with a disability experience; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14845/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 58 together.

The Cost of Disability research findings are significantly broader than income supports and it is clear that this issue will not be addressed through income support alone.  The research has implications for many areas of public policy including the delivery of care services, health, housing, education, transport and income supports.

In order to implement an all-Department response, the Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D.  It will consider and monitor actions required by the various Government Departments on foot of this report on a bi-annual basis.

All Departments have been asked to consider actions that are currently being implemented and any proposed new actions that they will be undertaking in the context of the findings of the Report.

From the perspective of my Department, it is worth noting that a number of measures were introduced as part of Budget 2022 in relation to people with disabilities and their carers, which will go towards alleviating the financial costs experienced.  These include a combination of core weekly payment rate increases, increases in earnings disregards as well as supports to employers, as follows:-

- €5 increase in maximum rate of all core weekly payments including people with disabilities and carers, with proportionate increases for qualified adults, with effect from January.

- €3 increase for qualified child dependants aged 12 and over and €2 for those up to age 12, in all core weekly payments.

- An increase in the general weekly means disregard for Disability Allowance from €2.50 to €7.60 per week.

- An increase in the earnings limit on Disability Allowance from €350 to €375.

- €3 increase in the weekly Living Alone Allowance from €19 to €22 for people with disabilities who are living alone.

- €5 increase in the Fuel Allowance from €28 to €33 per week, from 12 October 2021.

- The employment and recruitment service for people with a disability, Employability, will now provide grants directly to those who qualify.

- An increase to the Wage Subsidy paid to employers who employ people with a disability from €5.30 to €6.30 an hour, thereby encouraging more employers to employ people with a disability.

- An increase in the Capital/Savings disregard for Carer’s Allowance from €20,000 to €50,000 from June.

- An increase in the weekly income disregard for Carer’s Allowance to €350 a week for single carers and to €750 for carers with a spouse/partner, also from June.

- Domiciliary Care Allowance will be paid for children who go into hospital for up to 6 months (currently 3 months).  Carer’s Allowance will also continue to be paid in respect of children who go into hospital for 6 months. 

Furthermore, under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion my Department has a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long term disability payments.  I have asked my officials to revisit the ‘strawman’ proposal to take on board the findings in the Cost of Disability research.

One of the key conclusions contained in the report referenced the significant challenges faced in accessing employment and that a high priority should be given to facilitating an increase in employment opportunities for people with disabilities.  In this regard the Pathways to Work Strategy, includes a key action to extend targeted employment supports to groups facing additional challenges accessing work, such as people with disabilities.  My Department is also actively feeding into the new Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities with a range of actions and associated timelines.

I trust that this clarifies the matter.

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