26. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Social Protection if he expects the cost of disability payment to be introduced in Budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46030/26]

56. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on the progress his Department is making to introduce a cost of disability payment. [46035/26]

96. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection his plans in the next budget to introduce a cost of disability payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46153/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 26, 56 and 96 together.

Supporting disabled people is a key priority for the Government. We recognise the additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives and we are 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.

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.

Ahead of the Summit I ran a public consultation process on how a cost of disability payment can best be delivered, with over 1,100 submissions received, in a variety of formats.

The submissions also helped inform the agenda for the Summit which I hosted in the Aviva Stadium on the 13th of May 2026. It was an in-person and on-line event attended by over 300 people, including many people with disabilities, Disabled Persons' Organisations and other advocacy groups as well as representatives of many Government Departments.

The Summit was also attended by members of the Oireachtas together with senior Government Ministers including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, and the Minister of State for Disability and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport. This attendance indicates that while the work on the cost of disability has been led by my Department the delivery of a solution will involve a range of Departments and agencies. 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 are also needed.

The discussions at the Summit highlighted that the costs of disability are not uniform but vary significantly depending on the type and nature of a person's disability and his or her personal circumstances. Many costs relate to services that require measures across all sectors, including health, education, housing, energy, and transport.

A Report of the Summit will be published and presented to the Implementation and Monitoring Committee which is Chaired by An Taoiseach. It will set out the key lessons learned and inform the next round of Action Plans under the Strategy. It will also feed into the Budget 2027 process. No decisions have been made on the design or format of a payment. We are continuing to engage with stakeholders through their Pre-Budget submissions and at the Pre-Budget Forum which I will host on 1 July.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.