Claire Kerrane
Question:73. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection to provide an update on the Green Paper on Reform of Disability Payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7802/24]
View answerTuesday, 20 February 2024
Questions (73)
Written answers
The Government committed as part of the Roadmap for Social Inclusion to develop and consult on proposals to restructure long-term disability payments and to simplify the system. The proposals developed are set out in the Green Paper on Disability Reform.
The aim of the Green Paper is two-fold. First, it seeks to better insulate disabled people who cannot work from poverty by providing for higher rates of payment. Second, it seeks to encourage and support higher levels of employment for people with disabilities by tailoring the provision of employment supports to suit people’s capabilities.
This is not a cost-cutting measure. Many people will see significant increases to their payment of up to €45 per week. Any engagement with employment services will be on a voluntary basis.
The Green Paper is a consultation document. No final decisions have been made. The Paper’s purpose is to invite discussion, debate and suggestions.
We want to hear from as many disabled people and their representatives as possible. My officials held a stakeholder event in October and four public consultation events in November last year. My Department has also been holding bilateral meetings with Disabled Persons Organisations and disability groups.
I have extended the closing date for the public consultation until the 15 March 2024. This was in response to requests for an extension and to allow individuals, Disabled Persons’ Organisations and disability groups time to compose their submission. People can make a submission in writing or by video. I encourage everybody with an interest in improving the lives of people with disabilities to engage in the consultation process. I am open to all ideas and suggestions.
My Department has received over 250 submissions to date, and the feedback from these submissions is currently being reviewed and analysed. I look forward to receiving more submissions in the coming weeks. All feedback from the public consultation will be considered in any future reforms of the system.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.