1214. Deputy Ann Graves asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will consider adding disability recipients to the annual €2,000 lump sum payment in Budget 2027; and if he will make a permanent cost of disability payment to protect vulnerable people from poverty. [43096/26]

The Government recognises the additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and is committed improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures. That is why the Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a permanent annual cost of disability payment.

The Deputy will be aware that the €2,000 annual lump-sum payment referenced is the Carer’s Support Grant, which is specifically for people providing full-time care. It is not a disability payment.

It is paid to people providing full-time care and attention, including those on Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit and Domiciliary Care Allowance, and to other full-time carers who meet the qualifying criteria. To qualify, a person must be providing full-time care for at least six months, including the first Thursday in June. This ensures the grant supports carers providing sustained, ongoing care.

In addition, the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with significant input from disability groups and advocates, includes a commitment to a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability, emphasising the cross-government nature of the issue.

To prepare for the summit, I ran a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered. I am very pleased that there was an exceptional response with over 1,000 submissions received. This Summit was convened on Aviva Stadium on the 13th of May.

The learnings from the Summit and feedback from the consultation exercise will inform the approach that will be taken including the measures that may be taken as part of Budget 2027. While the issue cannot be resolved in one budget cycle I, and my Government colleagues intend, to the best of our ability, to use the resources available in Budget 2027 to make a meaningful difference.