Disabled people more than two and a half times more likely to be at risk of poverty, says Tipperary TD

Calls made in Tipperary for urgent action on cost-of-disability payments after decades of delay

Disabled people in Ireland are being left behind by successive governments that have produced “report after report” without delivering meaningful change, according to Tipperary TD Seamus Healy, who raised the issue during a recent Dáil debate on the Cost of Disability motion.

Speaking on behalf of constituents including many across Tipperary, he said the State has spent more than 30 years examining the extra costs faced by disabled people, but has still failed to introduce a dedicated cost-of-disability payment.

Healy argued that while numerous official reviews have been completed, including major reports in 1996, 2021, 2023 and 2025, the situation on the ground has not yet improved for disabled people across Ireland.

He said disabled people are still being forced to live on inadequate incomes despite facing significantly higher day-to-day costs simply to live independently.

Research cited in the debate suggests that disability can add between €488 and €555 per week in additional expenses, depending on individual circumstances and support needs.

He also pointed to poverty levels among disabled people in Ireland, noting an at-risk-of-poverty rate of around 24%, more than two and a half times higher than the general population.

He said this reflects not only the direct costs of disability but also wider structural barriers that limit opportunity and independence.

A key concern raised by Healy was the difficulty many disabled people face in accessing or maintaining employment.

He said that while many want to work, they are often prevented from doing so due to a lack of personal assistance services, inadequate access to assistive equipment such as wheelchairs, and insufficient workplace supports. .

He also highlighted the fear of losing essential benefits, including the medical card, disability allowance, fuel allowance, and free travel, as a major deterrent to employment.

He described the system as creating a “cliff-edge effect,” where even modest earnings can lead to the loss of vital supports, effectively trapping people in low-income or part-time work.

He also criticised the structure of the Disability Allowance system, particularly strict means testing and the inclusion of a partner or household income in eligibility assessments, arguing that this excludes many people who should qualify for support.

He noted that a significant proportion of refused applications are later overturned on appeal, suggesting problems with the initial assessment process.

Beyond financial issues, Healy raised concerns about everyday accessibility, pointing to basic barriers such as inaccessible public toilets, transport limitations, and poor planning in public spaces.

He said these issues reflect a lack of attention to basic dignity and inclusion, and argued that small, practical changes could significantly improve daily life for disabled people.

He concluded by calling for the introduction of a dedicated cost-of-disability payment and broader reform of welfare supports to reduce barriers to employment and independence.

He said the debate must move away from repeated consultation and toward decisive action, stressing that the evidence has already been gathered over decades and what is now required is political will to implement change.