Clare Leader Forum is calling on Government to introduce a standalone, non-means-tested Cost of Disability payment for all Disabled people in Budget 2027, regardless of income, employment, family circumstances or welfare status.
The call follows an urgent meeting convened by Clare Leader Forum amid mounting concern that the promised payment could be watered down, the possibility that eligibility may be limited to people in receipt of Disability Allowance or other social welfare payments. Clare Leader Forum warns that such a restriction would be ableist and discriminatory, excluding many Disabled people who face additional disability costs.
The Department of Social Protection’s own preliminary analysis of its consultation records that most groups called for a standalone payment available to Disabled people beyond those receiving social welfare payments, without a means test and including people in work. Clare Leader Forum’s public consultations and submission made the same case.
Pádraic Hayes, Chairperson of Clare Leader Forum, said: “A payment restricted to people in receipt of Disability Allowance or other social welfare payments would discriminate against Disabled people who face additional disability costs but do not receive those payments. That includes people in work and people who are ineligible because of a spouse’s or partner’s income. We must not have to remain in receipt of a welfare payment to have our additional disability costs met.”
Taking up work or progressing in a career must never be grounds for exclusion. Getting to work and participating in it can bring costs for accessible transport, equipment, personal assistance and other supports. Disabled people’s costs differ, and we should to compete with another for recognition.
The Clare Leader Forum is calling on Clare’s four TDs; Minister Timmy Dooley, Deputy Cathal Crowe, Deputy Joe Cooney and Deputy Donna McGettigan, to state this position explicitly to the Ministers responsible and to Cabinet before Budget 2027 decisions are finalised.
Mr Hayes added: “The Government asked Disabled people what this payment should be. Now it must act on what we said: make it standalone, make it non-means-tested, and make it available to all Disabled people. Anything less would be a welfare top-up, not a Cost of Disability payment.”