In September of last year, the then Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, conceded that pulling one-off payments would be difficult. His decision at the time was predicated in part upon inflation continuing to remain around 2%. Those were his own words. In reality, CSO figures now show a 12-month inflation rate of 3.2%. It was a callous and cruel budget that was cut-throat with cost-of-living supports. In defence of his compassionless budget, the Taoiseach acknowledged that these supports have been crucial in responding to the cost-of-living crisis. Does he think the cost-of-living crisis is over? Does he believe that he has solved it? Does he think that the added costs of disability evaporated? He must believe he fixed that also. The Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, believed that these supports were not fiscally sustainable. Those were his own words. How fiscally sustainable does the Taoiseach believe it is for a disabled person to see their income decreased by €1,400 per year? TDs from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the so-called Independent lackeys endorsed a heartless budget last October – one that absolutely hammered people with disabilities. This motion offers them the opportunity to purge their contempt. The then Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, said that cutting these payments would be difficult. Paschal showed no difficulty when generously gifting the World Bank €10 million of taxpayers' money. There was no talk of fiscal sustainability then. Paschal does not give a damn. Now the Minister, Deputy Calleary, has the opportunity. Sinn Féin fully supports the motion before the House today, which mandates the Government to restore the €400 emergency winter payment-----

Sentiment score: -0.08

-----because there is no other way to address and respond to the challenges we face as a society. Every Member of this House can staple their colours to the mast through this motion. Are the members of the Government not concerned that both the ESRI and the PBO predict that poverty will continue to rise for people with disabilities?

Sentiment score: -0.25

Do they want to do something about it?

Sentiment score: 0.08

If so, the Minister must support this motion.

Sentiment score: 0.40

People are.

Sentiment score: 0.00