Affordable Ireland Campaign announced details of a national protest to demand an emergency winter disability payment later this month. Photograph: Alan BetsonViews on the value of cost-of-disability payments are being sought from the public in a consultation beginning on Friday. A 2021 Indecon report estimated additional annual costs for disabled people ranged from roughly €8,700 to over €12,300. The programme for Government commits to introducing a permanent cost of disability support payment. The consultation comes almost two years after Calleary’s predecessor Heather Humphreys withdrew a green paper on a proposed tiered disability payment following intense pushback by disabled people.

Source: The Irish Times February 21, 2026 00:38 UTC