31. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the public consultation on the cost of disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31088/26]

62. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Social Protection when he will introduce a cost of disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30006/26]

73. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Social Protection the measures currently being taken by his Department to address the real and increasing cost of disability for individuals and families; whether a timeline can be provided for the introduction of targeted financial supports including any plans to expand or reform the cost of disability payment; the way his Department is ensuring that supports are aligned across key life stages from early years through to adulthood; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29140/26]

77. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection to confirm the progress that has been made toward a permanent cost of disability payment; the work that has been undertaken to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31304/26]

85. Deputy Catherine Ardagh asked the Minister for Social Protection if he expects to introduce a cost of disability payment in Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31306/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 62, 73, 77 and 85 together.

Supporting disabled people is a key priority for this Government. That is why the Programme for Government includes a number of commitments to improve the position of disabled people including a commitment to introducing a permanent Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment.

Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from Disability groups and advocates, it was agreed to establish a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability. While it is led by my Department, it includes other Government departments in this cross-government endeavour, as well as disabled people and their advocates.

Officials in my Department have held meetings with a number of organisations, including Disabled Persons Organisations, to discuss the possible structure and content of the Strategic Focus Network Summit as well as the possible form of a cost of disability payment.

A public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered was launched on February 20th and ran for just over six weeks until Tuesday 7 April.

A full range of accessible formats was available to support public participation in the process. These include an Irish Sign Language video, an Easy-to-Read document, a screen-reader friendly Word version, and Braille. Submissions were accepted in writing by email and by post. Submissions could also be made by phone and video submissions including ISL video. The consultation was also promoted with accessible social media, radio, and printed media ads.

I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,000 submissions received. 87 submissions were from groups and organisations, with 12 from Disabled Persons’ Organisations and Disabled Persons’ Representative Organisations. Accessible ways to partake were widely used, with almost 60 submissions made over the phone, while 20 were received by post. Seven video submissions were also received. I want to thank all the contributors for taking the time to make a submission and for sharing their valuable insights with us.

The submissions have helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I will be hosting in the Aviva Stadium on the 13th of May 2026. It is an in-person event with online access also available.

The Strategic Focus Network Summit and the submissions made through the consultation process will help inform the approach to be taken in delivering on the Programme for Government commitment. This whole of government approach is important as addressing these costs is not simply a matter of income supports alone. Improvements in the delivery of, and access to key services is also needed.

Following the Summit, a briefing paper will be produced outlining the key learnings and any tangible outcomes which will support how the whole of Government delivers in this area going forward and inform the future Action Plans under the strategy. The paper will also feed into the Budget 2027 process.

In terms of actions taken to assist people with costs, from January 2026, the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance was increased by €5 a week to €38, giving a total per recipient of €1,064 each year. This supports some 470,000 households with their energy costs. Conscious that people are worried about the cost of home heating, Government recently approved the extension of the 2025/26 fuel allowance season by four weeks until the week ending 1st May 2026, to help those most vulnerable with their fuel costs.

For any person or family having genuine difficulty heating their home, Additional Needs Payments under the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which an applicant is unable to meet out of their own resources. In addition, under the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, a special Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have special heating needs (e.g. in the case of ill health, infirmity or a medical condition).

I trust this clarifies the issue for the Deputy.