Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 April 2024
34. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Social Protection when we can expect to know the findings of the interdepartmental working group between her Department and the Department of Health concerning a reform of the disability payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18079/24]
View answerThe main income supports to carers provided by my department are Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Spending on these payments is expected to amount to over €1.7 billion this year.
As part of Budget 2024, I announced my intention to establish an Interdepartmental Working Group with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This Group has not been asked to review disability payments: that will be done through the auspices of the new Cabinet Committee on disability matters. I have specifically tasked this Interdepartmental Working Group with examining and reviewing the system of means test for carers payments.
My officials are engaging with their counterparts in these Departments to progress the group and I have asked this Group to report to me on the matter by Quarter 3 of this year.
With regard to the reform of disability payments I launched the consultation process on the Green Paper last September. Based on the feedback I have received to date, it is clear that there are significant concerns about the proposals. I have listened to these concerns, and I have confirmed that the Green Paper process will not continue.
The Taoiseach has placed a major focus on improving supports for people with disabilities with the establishment of a new special Cabinet Committee on Disability. As a Government, we now need to have a fresh look at how we can best support people with disabilities and I believe this will be best done on a whole-of-Government basis through the new Cabinet Committee.
The Indecon Cost of Disability report identified that additional costs of disability run across a number of areas of expenditure including housing, equipment, aids and appliances, care and assistance services, mobility, transport, communications, medicines, and additional living expenses. Based on this, one of report's conclusions was that a multifaceted, whole-of-Government approach is required to address the cost of disability.It is for this reason the Government decided that the report, and actions to be taken on foot of the report, should be considered and monitored by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.The work of the Steering Group, chaired by the Minister of State for Disability, was due to end in 2021 but was extended to the end of 2022. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are in the process of developing a new disability strategy which will be informed by a range of policy inputs, including the Cost of Disability report. Officials in my Department are contributing to the development and implementation of this strategy.
I trust that this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.
