Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
93. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide details of any analysis carried out by her Department on the recommendations of a report (details supplied) which was published in December 2021; her plans to introduce a cost of disability payment given the significant additional costs faced by persons with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38172/22]
View answerThe Indecon report found that there is not a single typical ‘cost of disability’, rather there is a spectrum from low additional costs to extremely high extra costs of disability, depending on the individual circumstances of the person concerned.
The additional costs of disability identified by Indecon run across a number of areas of expenditure including: housing, equipment, aids and appliances, mobility, transport and communications, medicines, care and assistance services and additional living expenses.
One of Indecon’s key conclusions was that a multifaceted approach was required, involving increased cash payments, enhanced access to service provision and specific targeted grant programmes. This is why a whole-of-Government perspective is needed.
The Government has referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, which is chaired by the Minister of State with responsibility for Disability. The Group includes Government departments, agencies, the Disability Stakeholder Group and disabled people.
This Group has oversight of monitoring the key frameworks for policy and action to address the needs of persons with disabilities. This group will consider and monitor actions required by the various Government Departments on foot of this report on a bi-annual basis.
I introduced a number of measures as part of Budget 2022 in relation to people with disabilities and Carers. These included a combination of core weekly payment rate increases, increases in earnings disregards as well as supports to employers.
Another of the key conclusion of the Indecon report referenced the significant challenges faced by Jobseekers with disabilities accessing employment. In this context this month will see my department commencing the roll out of an early engagement approach for people with disabilities.
Intreo will engage at the earliest opportunity with people with disabilities to offer them support and assistance in seeking employment.
