December 2011

Inclusion Ireland welcomes Government decision to pause Disability Allowance cuts

Inclusion Ireland welcomes the Government’s decision to pause implementation of two proposals in Budget 2012 that would have had a severe impact on people with disabilities and their families if they had gone ahead, namely:

• Reducing Disability Allowance for new claimants aged under 25 by up to 47%;
• Raising the qualifying age for Disability Allowance from 16 to 18, which would mean a financial difference of €523.07 a month for those affected;

Above all else, pushing ahead with the measures outlined on budget day, would show a total lack of understanding of the support needs of people with a disability, and would have disregarded the additional costs associated with disability.However, while Inclusion Ireland welcomes the decision to pause the cuts to Disability Allowance outlined in the Budget, these cuts have not been rolled back on, and could still go ahead. The decision to refer the issues to the Committee on Taxation and Reform is welcome, but the Government have not said if they will consult with people with disabilities and their families on these proposals, and there is no such representative currently sitting on the Committee on Taxation and Reform.

Inclusion Ireland believes there is need for reform of Disability Allowance, which must include a cost of disability analysis. Any review must be done in consultation with people with disabilities and their families.