Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
114. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on a key conclusion in the Cost of Disability in Ireland – Research Report, that measures to address the additional costs of disability should be based on a multi-faceted approach involving increased cash payments, enhanced access to service provision and specific targeted grant programmes. [34519/22]
View answerThe Indecon Cost of Disability report identified that additional costs of disability run across a number of areas of expenditure including housing, equipment, aids and appliances, care and assistance services, mobility, transport, communications, medicines, and additional living expenses. Therefore it is very clear that the findings in the research have implications for many areas of public policy and should be based on a multifaceted approach to include increased cash payments, enhanced access to services and specific targeted grant programmes.
Furthermore, Indecon found that there is not a single typical cost of disability; rather, there is a spectrum from low to high additional costs of disability, depending on individual circumstances.
This is why the Government referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, which is chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability. This group comprises of relevant departments, agencies, a Disability Stakeholder Group and people with disabilities. The group will consider and monitor recommended actions required by the various Government Departments on a bi-annual basis.
The measures to address the cost of disability fall under the remit of many Government departments. Departments have been requested to examine the work they are currently committed to undertaking and review in the light of this report. Furthermore, they have been asked that any future actions would also be considered in the context of the Cost of Disability report.
The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020 – 2025 included a commitment to develop and consult on a ‘strawman’ proposal for the restructuring of long term disability payments to simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report. The Cost of Disability research report will feed into the preparation of these reform proposals. Work on these proposals is advancing within my Department and will include wider consultation process in due course.
