I welcome the opportunity to speak on this motion and thank Teachta O'Reilly and colleagues for moving it. I am sorry that they have had to move such a motion again. The Minister will have seen similar motions from other Opposition groups. The motion calls clearly on the Government to stop turning a blind eye and to finally deliver an emergency cost-of-disability payment, not next month and not in the next budget, but now. In last year's budget, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael made a cold, cruel choice. They left people with disabilities €1,400 worse off. Just think about that. It is not a figure on a spreadsheet; it is the difference between heating a home and powering a wheelchair. It is the difference between a hot meal and an impossible choice. We have heard testimonies from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Barnardos, the Disability Federation of Ireland, other disabled persons' organisations, and advocacy groups, but more importantly, in our constituency clinics and communities, at kitchen tables and sitting beside people. Households with a disabled member are being forced to choose between food, warmth and equipment essential to their lives. The average energy arrears of a household are nearly €500, but for families with a disabled member it is far higher. The Government should not hide behind the seasons or the weather. Just because we are moving into warmer months does not mean the additional costs disappear. Energy bills, including for heating, and bills for water, medical devices, transport and care do not take a summer break. Sinn Féin is demanding an emergency cost-of-living budget, a lump sum payment for people with disabilities now and a permanent cost-of-disability scheme to end this neglect for good. People with disabilities should not have to beg for a decent standard of living. The Minister should withdraw his insulting amendment. People with disabilities are entitled to live with dignity, independence and security. This Government has a responsibility to act. It is time it fulfilled it.

Sentiment score: 0.05