Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Simon Harris (FG), Wicklow

What I will certainly do is accept the Deputy is quite rightly highlighting the issue of disability, as is his party. That is an important and good thing to do. No one wishes to engage in any sort of derisory view. These are important and legitimate issues. The next priority for the Government in terms of the work of the Minister for Social Protection is the development of a cost-of-disability payment. As it happens, coincidentally, the consultation on that payment is due to open tomorrow. I know the challenges people with a disability face. I met many of them in Galway and engaged with their lived experience only two weeks ago. They do not need to be on the streets protesting. We need them to be in the rooms engaging so we get this payment and structure right.
I will say more broadly, about any comment, when I hear of people saying they are choosing between heating and eating, I genuinely say to everyone in this House that no one should find themselves in that situation.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19