Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
91. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she considers that the ongoing cost of disability can be adequately addressed through one-off payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50723/22]
View answerThe Indecon Cost of Disability report (2021) 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.
It is very clear that the findings in the research have implications for many areas of public policy and responses 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.
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 considers and monitors recommended actions required by the various Government Departments on foot of the report.
A number of the measures I introduced as part of Budget 2023 in support of people with disabilities and carers, reflect some of the findings of the report and will go towards alleviating some of the costs experienced. These measures include:
- A Cost of Living Double Payment will be paid to Social Protection recipients including all Pensioners, Carers and people on Disability Payments in October.
In November the following payments will be made:
- €500 Cost of Living Disability Support Grant will be paid to all people receiving a long-term Disability Payment.
- €500 Cost of Living Payment for people receiving the Carer’s Support Grant.
- €400 Lump Sum Fuel Allowance Payment to all households receiving the Fuel Allowance.
- €200 Lump Sum Payment for pensioners and people with a disability receiving the Living Alone Allowance.
- €500 Cost of Living Lump Sum Payment to all families in receipt of the Working Family Payment.
- Double Payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children.
In addition:
- A Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be paid to 1.3 million Social Protection
recipients including Pensioners, Carer’s and People with Disabilities in December.
In January 2023, the following measures will be implemented:
- 12 increase in weekly payments with proportionate increases for qualified adults and for people who receive a reduced rate.
- The earnings disregard for both the Disability Allowance and Blind Pension will be increased by €25 per week, from €140 to €165.
- Means assessment threshold for Fuel Allowance will increase from €120 to €200.
- Disablement Benefit will be disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase by €20.50 to €330 per month.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance will be available in respect of children with severe illness or disability who remain in hospital for up to six months after birth.
- Half-rate Carer’s Allowance will be disregarded in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance.
The Indecon report noted in particular the importance of supporting the employment of disabled people. To assist with this, in addition to the increases to the earning disregards, Budget 2023 included two other important measures:
- €1m funding for enhancements to the Reasonable Accommodation Fund grants. These grants support the employment of disabled people in the private sector. Following a public consultation, conducted earlier this year, the department will bring forward reform proposals before the end of the year.
- Changes to the Jobs plus incentive scheme, to encourage private sector employers in employ disabled people. Employers who employ people in receipt of the disability allowance or Blind pension can now benefit from the scheme.
A planned review of the departments Wage Subsidy Scheme, which provides financial incentives to encourage private sector employers to employ Jobseekers with disabilities, will also commence in the coming weeks, through a public consultation process.
In the Roadmap for Social Inclusion and Pathways to Work strategies, my Department has committed to developing and consulting on a strawman proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments. The main objectives are to simplify the system, remove anomalies, recognise the continuum of disabilities and to support employment. The Cost of Disability research report will feed into the preparation of these reform proposals. Work is underway by officials on the ‘strawman’ with a public consultation to commence in due course.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
