Those with disabilities to remain on a 'shoestring budget' as Budget 2024 fails to impress

Gary Kearney said the €12 weekly increase to his State pension is an 'insult'

Gary Kearney, from Cabra, said of his State pension increase in this year's budget: 'We are the largest minority group in Ireland, and nobody wants to have these disabilities. So, when you ask for help, it’s here’s your €12 along with a kick in the face.' Picture: Moya Nolan

Gary Kearney said he is “deeply disappointed” with this year’s budget, which will see his invalidity state pension rise by just €12 per week.

The 59-year-old from Dublin was hoping for major changes for those living with disabilities in Ireland.

However, despite a report by the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), which said people with disabilities live with extra costs ranging from €8,700 to €12,300 per year, Gary will remain on a “shoestring budget”.

“It works out at about €12 per week,” Mr Kearney told the Irish Examiner. 

“That’s a C-plus from me. It’s nowhere near what we had hoped for.

“We are the largest minority group in Ireland, and nobody wants to have these disabilities. So, when you ask for help, it’s here’s your €12 along with a kick in the face.

I was so hopeful for the budget, the DFI had submitted a very detailed pre-budget proposal outlining the challenges faced by my community. But no one was listening.

Fourteen years ago, Mr Kearney had it all, a full-time job, a roof over his head, and money in the bank — he was nowhere near ready to retire.

However, his drink was spiked with Rohypnol in a bar on a night out and he suffered three brain hemorrhages and was forced to leave his job.

Mr Kearney receives €225 per week for his invalidity State pension and said he can “barely make ends meet”.

“I’m not even a full pensioner really,” he continued. 

Gary Kearney receives the invalidity pension. He has a number of disabilities including a brain injury. He is hoping for “great things” in #Budget2024 “meh said “We have huge bills because of our extra needs” @DisabilityFed pic.twitter.com/jtgqmpEcoZ

— Alison O’Reilly (@AlisonMaryORE) October 10, 2023

“I’m a second-class pensioner, there is no freedom or wriggle room for me. Even if I wanted to get out there and be a volunteer, I can’t. I have a brain injury and all my savings are gone and I can’t even volunteer to keep my brain busy because my brain is damaged.

I am lucky to have a council flat, but I have no life whatsoever. If I have to socialise, I will save up for it and pay it on the drip afterwards, the rent, gas and electricity might not be paid in full.

“My broadband and phone really are my social life and they cost money. I suffer with ADHD since the mugging and if I wake at 3am, I can go online and talk to someone in Australia. So, I am never alone.

“I’m not just someone on a State payment, I’m a person with a disability on a State payment but it is still not even the full State pension. I suppose in a way, it’s worse for me because I know what it is like to have the job, the income, and the free time.

“Then suddenly, it’s all gone. I didn’t have that natural retirement; so those things can trigger post-traumatic stress disorder too."

Gary said he was hoping that Budget 2024 would reflect the cost of living for pensioners who have disabilities and called for at least €20 per week and a recurring payment of the disability grant of €500 given in last year’s budget.

“I got nowhere near that. It’s an insult,” he said.

There are around 1.1m people in Ireland living with disabilities according to the 2022 Census.

DFI CEO John Dolan said: "How are disabled people supposed to feel today about this downgrading and tokenistic attitude towards them?"