Many individuals and families are struggling to cope with the cost of living increases, but some are especially heavily burdened. Included in that group are families who support and care for persons with disabilities. Yesterday, Family Carers Ireland launched a report compiled by the Vincentian Partnership that detailed the additional costs to a family caring for an adolescent with a profound intellectual disability. That additional cost is already more than €160 per week and the rising cost of living adds to it.

Will the Government consider taking some short-term measures such as an extension of the fuel allowance for a number of weeks or, crucially, making the carer’s allowance a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance? In the next budget, will tax measures be put in place to support families who care and, in particular, will deaf people and their families be considered for new tax credits and measures?

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very fair issue. As she will be aware, we have increased the fuel allowance over the past 18 months or more, from approximately €600 to more than €1,000, and we have added the €200 electricity bill cut, which will also apply. The cost of disability report has been referred to the national disability inclusion strategy steering group, which the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, is chairing. That process will relate the report to policy on people with disabilities in particular and any additional costs they face over and above normal costs. In this environment, those costs are severe. As I said earlier, we are looking for a broad-based response to all these issues in order to help people.