Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
461. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration has been given to making the recent lump sum disability support payment an annual payment; considering commitments to addressing the additional cost of disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59509/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, the Social Protection budget has been designed to assist people with cost-of-living increases through a mix of once off lump sum payments, increases to weekly payment rates and, for example, an expansion of the Fuel Allowance scheme.
The measures introduced included the provision of a one-off €500 Cost-of-Living payment, which was paid in mid-November to recipients of the Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and the Carer's Support Grant.
A number of the measures introduced as part of the Budget also reflected the conclusions of the Indecon cost of disability report.
The measures introduced to support people with disabilities in Budget 2023 included:
Paid in October:
- Cost-of-Living Double Payment, paid to Social Protection recipients including all Pensioners, Carers and people on Disability Payments.
Paid in November
- €500 Cost of Living Disability Support Grant, 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.
- Double Payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children.
To be paid in December
- Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be paid to 1.3 million Social Protection recipients including: Pensioners, Carers and People with Disabilities.
In addition, from 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, to include for example the Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, and Invalidity Pension.
- The Means assessment threshold for Fuel Allowance will increase from €120 to €200.
- Disablement Benefit will be disregarded in the means assessment for the 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 particularly identified the importance of supporting the employment of disabled people. To assist with this, Budget 2023 included other important measures:
- The earnings disregard for both the Disability Allowance and Blind Pension will be increased by €25 per week, from €140 to €165 from January.
- €1m funding for enhancements to the Reasonable Accommodation Fund grants has been put in place. 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 for this fund before the end of the year.
- Changes to the JobsPlus incentive scheme, to encourage private sector employers to employ disabled people. Employers who employ people in receipt of the Disability Allowance or Blind Pension can avail of two grants under this scheme, the value of the grants are €7,500 and €10,000.
Any consideration of annual payments provided by my department, including further Cost of Living payments, would need to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
