Soc Dems call for true commitment to cost of disability payment

The government’s latest promise to introduce a cost of disability payment next year must be more than just another vague commitment or delaying tactic, according to Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide.

Quaide, the party’s spokesperson on disability, said “the latest commitment on this issue from Disability Minister Emer Higgins must be followed by clear timelines setting out when this badly needed payment will be introduced.”

The Cork TD said “a cost of disability payment to acknowledge the additional financial burden of living with a disability has long been talked about – and was even included in the programme for government – but has been endlessly delayed.”

He noted that the need for a cost of disability payment was identified as far back as 2004. That principle was reaffirmed in the State-commissioned Indecon report, published in 2021, so the evidence has been there for over two decades.”

“Against this backdrop, it is deeply frustrating to hear Minister Higgins speak in vague terms of her ‘hopes’ to see a cost of disability payment included in the next budget. The reality is that disabled people are struggling right now – talking about future plans does not put food on the table, pay energy bills, or cover the cost of transport, equipment, or personal assistance.”

“The government had an opportunity in the most recent budget to act immediately by introducing a cost of disability payment. Not only did it not do so, it also stripped away other supports, resulting in disabled people being an average of €1,400 worse off this year.

“Before Christmas, the government also failed to act on a call by a coalition of disability organisations to introduce an emergency €400 winter cost of disability payment. Such a modest, targeted measure would have acknowledged the very real increase in heating and energy costs faced by disabled people during the winter months. Ignoring this request was a conscious political choice, which has had real consequences.”

Quaide noted that his party called for a €20 per week cost of disability payment as a first step to addressing the significant cost of having a disability. We also proposed an extra €15 per week in Disability Allowance. Combined, these measures would have increased disabled people’s incomes by over €1,800 a year.

In addition, the party proposed a payment of €400 in targeted energy credits aimed at vulnerable households.

“There must be no further delays. Instead of offering more vague commitments, the government needs to act decisively to end the social exclusion and poverty experienced by so many disabled people in Ireland,” Quaide said.