Jen Cummins
Question:365. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to address the additional cost of living experienced by people with disabilities. [53290/25]
View answerTuesday, 7 October 2025
Questions (365)
Written answers
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment with a view to incrementally increasing this payment. Our Programme for Government commitments will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
We know that addressing the cost of disability is not a question of income support alone. The delivery of and access to services are also key. We need all Departments and agencies of Government to work together to address the issue in a comprehensive way.
That is why the Taoiseach set up a Cabinet Committee on Disability and a dedicated programme office within his own Department. In addition, the recently published National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 takes a whole-of-Government approach. The publication of this strategy sets out specific actions to be led by named Departments. My Department has been given responsibility to lead a Strategic Focus Network on the cost of disability. The work of this network, which will include disabled people and their advocates, will inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. I have asked my officials to expedite this work with a view to bringing a proposal to Government in the first half of next year. It is proposed that the first meeting of this group will take place in the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.