Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
77. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Social Protection if she is aware that the Oireachtas Disability Group recently disclosed that people unable to work due to disability have the highest consistent poverty rates of all economic groupings, at 19.7%; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32469/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the consistently high poverty rates among people who are unable to work due to a disability, as reported in the CSO’s 2022 Survey on Income and Living Conditions.
My department provides income supports to 220,000 people who cannot work due to a long-term illness or disability. The two main long-term payments are Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension.
I am committed to addressing the challenges that people with disabilities face and improving their outcomes. In Budget 2024, I introduced a number of measures to assist people with disabilities:
• a €400 once-off payment for Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension and Carer’s Support Grant recipients in November 2023 to address the high cost of living.
• a Christmas Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.
• a January Cost of Living Bonus double payment to all persons getting a long-term disability payment.
• increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments by €12 from January 2024.
• expanded eligibility for Free Travel to those medically certified as unfit to drive.
However, there is also a need to reform our system of disability payments. In September, I published the Green Paper on Disability Reform to begin the conversation about improving these supports.
The aim of the Green Paper is two-fold: to encourage a higher level of employment for people with disabilities, which will improve their outcomes; and to better insulate disabled people who cannot work from poverty and deprivation.
The key proposal is to introduce a new long-term disability payment that has three tiers of payment with associated employment supports. This takes into consideration recommendations of the Cost of Disability report, which found that income supports should be differentiated by need and Government policy should facilitate employment among those who can work.
I would like to emphasise that nobody will have their payment reduced under these proposals.
The Green Paper is a starting point for discussion on the future of long-term disability payments. It is not a final design. The proposals in it are intended to invite discussion, debate and suggestions.
A series of consultation events will be held in November to allow people to learn more about the proposals and to provide feedback on them. Individuals and organisations are also encouraged to make submissions.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
