Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 February 2026
422. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Social Protection to consider a once-off emergency winter payment for disabled people, as it would provide immediate relief in the disproportionate burden being carried by most of them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13483/26]
View answerThe Government recognises the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures.
That is why the Programme for Government includes a range of commitments to support disabled people which will be advanced over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the overall policy and budgetary context.
In Budget 2026, I provided for a €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures. This contained significant targeted measures to support disabled people. Both the increases to personal rates of payment and the Fuel Allowance were ahead of the general inflation rate reported by the Central Statistics Office of 3.2% in the year to the end of November 2025, and an energy cost increase of approximately 3.5% for the same period.
The Programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment. In addition, under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from Disability groups and advocates, it was agreed to establish a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability. While it is led by my Department, it includes other Government departments in this cross-government endeavour, as well as disabled people and their advocates.
I have asked my officials to prioritise this work. A public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered will be launched on Friday February 20th, and will run until the 7th April.
Following on from the consultation, on the 13th May, I will chair a Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit. The Summit will provide a space for key stakeholders such as disabled persons organisations and officials from across government to input into the design of a new cost of disability payment. It will also provide a space to identify ways that all Government Departments and Agencies can make changes to lower the cost of disability in the future. This whole of government approach is important as we know that addressing these costs is not simply a matter of a income supports improvements in the delivery of and access to key services is also needed.
For anyone who needs immediate assistance the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is available to them now. This scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. These payments are available through our Community Welfare Officers. The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently receiving a social welfare payment or working on a low income.
Furthermore, under the scheme, a Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people that have exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition and are unable to meet those costs out of household income. Heating Supplement is not restricted to the fuel season and can be paid throughout the full year.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment or a Heating Supplement is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for Additional Needs Payments can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
