Ireland’s Social Protection Minister has reaffirmed that introducing a cost‑of‑disability payment will be a central priority for 2026, as government departments advance work on a long‑awaited support aimed at addressing the significant extra expenses faced by disabled people. The payment is designed to offset the additional annual costs associated with living with a disability—expenses that can reach up to €15,000 per year for some individuals.
The Government first formally acknowledged these additional financial burdens in 2021, and discussions between the Department of Social Protection and disabled persons’ organisations resumed in early December as part of the design process for the new scheme. Minister Dara Calleary said he expects to receive a detailed proposal before the summer, signalling that the measure is moving into a more advanced planning phase.
While Budget 2026 already includes increased disability‑related supports—such as higher weekly payments and expanded funding for specialist services—the dedicated cost‑of‑disability payment is viewed as a structural reform intended to provide long‑term, targeted assistance. The minister emphasised that the payment will be shaped in consultation with disability groups to ensure it reflects the real and varied costs people face.
As Ireland prepares its next budget cycle, the initiative is emerging as a key test of the Government’s commitment to improving outcomes for disabled citizens and addressing long‑standing gaps in financial support.
Minister Dara Calleary TD Picture by Sam Boal
