85. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans to introduce a cost of disability payment to help address the significant additional costs of having a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50570/25]

Sentiment score: 0.19

Will the Minister provide some detail on the Government's commitment to introduce a permanent cost of disability payment to help to address the significant additional costs that come with having a disability and impose financial hardship on many of our disabled citizens?

Sentiment score: 0.38

I thank the Minister for his response. A recent report from the Economic and Social Research Institute and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission shows that the additional costs faced by disabled people are now estimated to be between 52% and 59% of disposable income. For those with more severe disabilities, that rises to as much as 93%. These costs arise across essential areas, including transport, medicines, specialised equipment, the need for personal assistance and care hours. The report also highlights how traditional poverty measurements underestimate the levels of deprivation experienced by disabled people as they fail to take account of these unavoidable additional costs. This is a stark reflection of how far behind we are in providing meaningful support to disabled citizens. I urge the Minister to take the evidence seriously and to introduce a specific cost-of-disability payment in the upcoming budget. People with disabilities cannot be expected to wait any longer.

Sentiment score: -0.01

The introduction of a cost-of-disability payment has been proposed but not acted upon for far too long. Detailed research and costings were carried out by the National Disability Authority as far back as 2006 and updated in the comprehensive Indecon report of 2021. Both reports clearly demonstrated the significant additional costs that come with living with a disability. These findings have been consistently echoed by the Disability Federation of Ireland, which has long advocated for a permanent payment that recognises these unavoidable expenses. A cost-of-disability payment would represent a structural long-term recognition of the daily additional costs of disability, covering such areas as transport, heating, medical needs, equipment and more. This is a matter of basic fairness and equality. I call on the Government to set out without delay a firm timeline for the introduction of a cost-of-disability payment and to make provision for it in the upcoming budget.

Sentiment score: 0.16