People with disabilities face additional rising costs and are struggling in light of reduced supports. The Government provided one-off cost-of-disability supports in the aftermath of Covid-19. In budget 2026, all of those were removed and nothing else was put in place. At least one in four people with disabilities is at risk of poverty. That is a terrible statistic. Previously, I have referenced that the cost of living with a disability might average up to €15,000 per year in the current economic climate. That is way beyond what the current supports cover. While the overall increase of the €10 was welcome, many people have seen their income fall in real terms since the budget. Removing the living alone allowance, the disability support grants, electricity credits and the October double payment has hit hard. We then have all the additional energy and fuel-related cost-of-living increases that people are having to cope with thanks to international events. Rents have also increased. The cost of disability is reflected in the unavoidable extra spending that disabled people face every day, including in respect of mobility aids, transport, communication supports, care medicines, equipment and adapted appliances. As stated on previous occasions, many disabled passengers rely on taxis because they cannot drive or afford an adapted car or cannot depend on public transport that is either inaccessible or unreliable. Even the BusConnects changes can make journeys harder. Two wheelchair users often cannot travel together because older buses lack adequate space to accommodate them. That is a whole load of extra costs and hidden discrimination. The Government's commitment to a permanent cost-of-disability payment is set out in the programme for Government. According to the Minister, the Government is looking at that this year. I hope it will be substantial rather than a case of kicking the can down the road. In that context, I support a once-off payment in light of the ongoing pressures relating to fuel, energy and inflation. The cost of living hits disabled people the hardest. Long-term supports are urgently needed. What sort of society are we if we do not protect our most vulnerable?

Sentiment score: 0.15