I remind Members that they have one minute for questions to the Taoiseach and that he has one minute for answers. If their questions are longer than 60 seconds, they are asking them in the wrong forum.

The October budget, which was worth €9.4 billion, left disabled people €1,400 worse off in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. For months, disabled people and their advocates have told their stories of choices between heating and eating. They have appealed to the Government again and again to deliver a cost-of-disability payment immediately, but it has ignored them. The Government’s consultation process is a distraction. It has stated that it needs to figure out what a cost-of-disability payment should be. However, it has had a report on the matter in its possession for five years. It knows what the additional cost of disability is. Disabled people cannot wait. The Government refused to give them an emergency cost-of-living payment and now it is asking them to wait for a permanent payment. That is not acceptable. They are under pressure and are struggling now. The Government needs to listen and to act with urgency on this matter.

The Deputy is wrong in her presentation. The budget for specialist disability services has increased 50% since 2023. We increased a range of payments in the most recent budget that will positively impact on people with disabilities. We did not proceed with once-off measures across the board. The Deputy has mischaracterised that, of course, in her usual fashion.

No, I have not.

The bottom line is people want permanent and sustainable action. Consultation is not a distraction. I am appalled at the Deputy’s presentation. Organisations representing people with disabilities want to be consulted and insist on consultation. It is regrettable that the Deputy would describe consultation as a distraction.