Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 4 October 2023
149. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures she would consider putting in place to assist those older people with disabilities who are ageing, in addition to having a disability, who are already living in, or in imminent danger of, falling into poverty due to the cost-of-living crisis, compounded with the additional costs that having a disability incur. [43100/23]
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.
On 20th September I published a Green Paper on Disability Reform and launched the associated public consultation. The Green Paper on Disability Reform was developed as a response to commitments under the Roadmap for Social Inclusion, the Pathways to Work Strategy and the Make Work Pay Report and taking account of the Cost of Disability Report.
In response to the cost of living challenges the Government provided the following supports for older persons:
October 2022
• Autumn Cost of Living Double Payment will be paid to Social Protection recipients including all Pensioners, Carer's and people on Disability Payments
November 2022
• €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
December 2022
• Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be paid to Social Protection recipients including Pensioners, Carer’s & People with Disabilities
Additional Improvements for Pensioners
• €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all State Pensions and proportionate increases for qualified adults and for people receiving a reduced rate
• New Means Test disregard for Fuel Allowance for people aged over 70 - €500 (single person) and €1,000 (couple)
• Normal means assessment threshold for Fuel Allowance increases from €120 to €200 with effect from January 2023
My department will continue to keep the range of supports for older people with disabilities under review.
