The State Pension, whether Contributory or Non-Contributory, is paid to those who have reached pensionable age 66. Currently, the maximum weekly personal rate of State Pension (Contributory) is €289.30, some €40 to €45 per week more than those in receipt of a disability payment.
My Department commissioned Indecon to research the cost of disability in Ireland; the resulting report was published in 2021. It focused on people of working age rather than pensioners and estimated that the average annual cost of disability in Ireland ranges from €9,482 to €11,734 per annum. It found that the additional costs of disability spread across a number of areas of expenditure including additional living expenses, mobility, transport and communications, care and assistance services, equipment, aids and appliances, and medicines. My Department has not conducted a specific assessment of any additional costs incurred by people aged 65 years and over due to disability.
A key conclusion in the Indecon report is that a multi-faceted whole-of-Government approach is required to address the cost of disability. The next National Disability Strategy is being led by the Department of Children, Equality and Youth in conjunction with relevant government departments. The Indecon report forms a key input to the considerations behind that strategy
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
