New cost of disability payment should not be means-tested, summit hears

It was also argued at the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit in Dublin that there should be automatic eligibility for the payment if it is already recognised through existing schemes

The payment should help with 'unavoidable out-of-pocket' expenses, as well as energy and utility bills, assistive tech and disability equipment, transport, specialised food, and housing adaptation shortfalls, among other costs. File picture

A new cost of disability payment should be given to “everybody recognised as having a disability” and not means-tested, a public consultation has heard.

However, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that while the Government is targeting the introduction of a payment as part of next October's budget, he would not say definitively if it would be.

The preliminary findings of a public consultation on the cost of disability payments were discussed at the Cost of Disability Strategic Focus Network Summit in Dublin.

Most people told the public consultation it should cover costs in many different areas to “support rights, dignity, participation, and independence”, and should not be means-tested. However, others suggested it should be means-tested and aimed at those most at risk of poverty.

It was also argued that the payment could not be a replacement for services.

The payment should help with “unavoidable out-of-pocket” expenses, as well as energy and utility bills, assistive tech and disability equipment, transport, specialised food, and housing adaptation shortfalls, among other costs.

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The consensus was that there should be automatic eligibility for the payment if it is already recognised through existing schemes, as well as a universal base payment and tiering based on support needs for those with higher costs.

Others also said there should be a mix of standalone payments, personal tax credits or rebates, and energy credits. Some 1,175 submissions were received as part of the consultation, including from organisations and individuals.

Social protection minister Dara Calleary told the summit that following the discussions at the event, a paper would be prepared and a proposal ready by the middle of the summer.

The Taoiseach said that while the Government would like to be able to start the cost of disability payment as part of the next budget, “the specifics is something we have to work out”.

“I am not going to say definitely yet, because there is an estimates process,” he said. “It is a key target in terms of our budget negotiations, but we do have to have a negotiation process with other ministers.

“There'll be many other issues in the budget as well, which would affect people with disabilities.”

• Louise Burne is political correspondent for the Irish Examiner