Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 February 2014
146. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give an assurance that the Government will deliver on its commitments to persons with disabilities (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7350/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeople with disabilities are a priority for my Department which will spend €19 billion on social protection measures in 2014.
My Department has maintained this level of financial support for people with disabilities against a background where very significant reductions in the Department’s budget over successive years had to be imposed in order to comply with the national recovery programme. I would emphasise that core weekly social welfare payments for people with disabilities have been maintained for 2014.
I should also add that my Department, along with nine other Departments of state, is contributing to the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan (2013 -2015) which was published in 2013 and which has the full backing of the Taoiseach and various Ministers through the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy.
