An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business
Seanad Éireann — 2025-12-09
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Sarah O'Reilly (AON), Agricultural Panel

A number of disability advocates are outside the gates of Leinster House today. We all agree they should not have to be here, but they are. They feel the need to impress upon us the dire circumstances they find themselves in. Budget 2026 was an opportunity to enact real change for the disability sector, but in reality it left disabled people worse off by more than €1,000 in some cases. We saw the €400 disability support grant wiped out as well as the €250 electricity credit. These were key supports for homes already living in energy poverty.
What is the result of these cuts?
Disabled people are being forced to choose between buying food or turning on their heating. That is unacceptable in any case but in a country such as Ireland, it is a complete failure by the State. The Government, the Minister for disability and the Department know that disabled people have increased costs to meet and that one in five of those who cannot work due to disability lives in consistent poverty. They have that data and the Department has that data; they are aware and they know. They have commissioned reports that clearly show the increased costs associated with disability. It cannot be a lack of awareness but rather, I have to assume, a lack of care. How else can you explain away the cuts made in the recent budget?
I ask the Government to please not abandon disabled people who have been forced into protesting just so they can afford food and heating. I would appreciate this being brought to the Minister's attention, and I will raise it at the social protection committee. We need to ensure there is an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities. The reality is that there is an urgent need, and it must be addressed.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2025-12-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:26+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-09