Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
202. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration will be given to introducing a cost of a disability payment and increasing the basic rates of social welfare by at least €30 per week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40799/23]
View answerThe Indecon Cost of Disability report highlighted 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. It also highlighted that the cost of disability is significantly broader than the income support system and includes housing, equipment, transport, medicines and care. The report therefore suggested that the issue needs a whole-of-government response.
My Department has committed under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on a proposal for the restructuring of long-term disability payments. This proposal, which will be in the form of a Green Paper, will also simplify the system and take account of the concerns expressed in the Make Work Pay report, the Pathways to Work report and the findings of the Cost of Disability Report. I intend to publish the Green Paper for consultation very shortly.
I will continue to keep the range of supports provided by this Department under review. However, any changes to the current supports provided, or the introduction of new payments as suggested by the Deputy, would have to be considered in an overall budgetary and policy context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
