Disability rise ‘far behind’ food cost

TONY EGAN said it was disingenuous for the Government to claim that people like him would be much better off with the €12 disability allowance increase.

“It might be above the rate of inflation but fell far behind the price of basic foodstuffs that had rocketed in price in recent months,” he said.

He had noticed that the price of half a dozen free-range eggs had increased by 12% in the last few months while a piece of rib steak had increased about 70%.

Tony, 57, a single man, returned home to Ireland when his business in Greece collapsed two years ago. He ended up homeless.

Saint Vincent de Paul helped him to get back to work but he became ill in October 2006 and had to be hospitalised.

A diabetes-related foot infection resulted in one of his toes being amputated. He had been suffering from the disease for about 10 years but it was only diagnosed when he was admitted to hospital. He now works part-time at a state-funded community enterprise centre in Dublin and is unsure how the disability payment will be calculated because of that.

“In 2005 the basic welfare payment increased by €17, in 2006 by €20 and this year we had an election so it has gone up by only €12. Is it me being cynical in thinking that the Government will not have to bother increasing the rate for another five years?”

Mr Egan said he was also glad he was single. “With a bit of luck, I can break even with what I have.”