Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
752. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to give favourable consideration to introducing a cost of disability payment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34230/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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, including a commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability payment. These commitments 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 including increases to personal rates of payment and the Fuel Allowance.
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.
A public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered was launched on Friday, 20 February and ran for just over six weeks until Tuesday 7 April.
I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,000 submissions received.
The submissions have helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I will be hosting in the Aviva Stadium on the 13th of May 2026. It is an in-person event with online access also available.
The Strategic Focus Network Summit and the submissions made through the consultation process will help inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. This whole of government approach is important as addressing these costs is not simply a matter of income supports alone. Improvements in the delivery of, and access to key services is also needed.
Following the Summit, a briefing paper will be produced outlining the key learnings and any tangible outcomes which will support how the whole of Government delivers in this area going forward and inform the future Action Plans under the strategy. The paper will also feed into the Budget 2027 process.
We also know that many people and families, including disabled people and their families, are facing higher energy costs at the moment as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. That is why we recently announced a €250 million energy relief package.
As part of this package, the Fuel Allowance season was extended by an additional four weeks. This means that the 470,000 households in receipt of the Fuel Allowance will receive additional financial support of €38 per week until May 1st, totalling €152.
For anyone who needs immediate assistance, the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme is available to them now. Under the 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.
