Martin Daly
Question:81. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection for a report on the Strategic Focus Network Summit on Cost of Disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46029/26]
View answerThursday, 18 June 2026
Questions (81)
Written answers
Supporting disabled people is a key priority for Government. We recognise the additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and we are committed improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures. That is why the Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability payment.
In addition, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from disability groups and advocates, includes a commitment to a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability, emphasising the cross-government nature of the issue.
Ahead of the Summit I ran a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered. I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,100 submissions received.
The submissions also helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I hosted in the Aviva Stadium on the 13th of May 2026. It was an in-person and on-line event attended by many people with disabilities, Disabled Persons' Organisations and other advocacy groups as well as representatives of many Government Departments. At the Summit we heard from disabled people about their lived experience - the costs they incur and the impact these costs have on their daily lives.
The Summit was also attended by members of the Oireachtas together with senior Government Ministers including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and the Minister of State for Disability and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. This attendance indicates that while the work on the cost of disability has been led by my Department the delivery of a solution will involve a range of Departments and agencies.
A briefing paper outlining the key learnings from the Summit, will be published and presented to the Delivery and Monitoring Committee which is Chaired by An Taoiseach. These lessons will inform the approach that will be taken including the measures that may be taken as part of Budget 2027. We are continuing to engage with stakeholders through their Pre-Budget submissions and at the Pre-Budget Forum which I will host on 1 July.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.