O’Shea Encourages Engagement in Public Consultation on Cost of Disability Support Payment

Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea who is also Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, is encouraging people with disabilities, their families, carers, representative organisations and all interested stakeholders to take part in the newly launched public consultation on the Cost of Disability.

The consultation was formally launched by Dara Calleary, Minister for Social Protection, and will remain open until 5pm on Tuesday, 7^th April 2026.

The Programme for Government includes a commitment to introduce a permanent Cost of Disability Support Payment, recognising the significant additional costs that many disabled people face in their daily lives. The consultation seeks views on how this new payment should be designed and delivered.

Deputy O’Shea said “This consultation is an important opportunity for disabled people and their families to shape a payment that is intended to directly address the real and ongoing additional costs associated with disability. These can include transport, healthcare, education, communication, assistive technologies and higher household expenses.

“As Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, I strongly encourage everyone with lived experience, as well as organisations working in the sector, to make their voices heard before the 7^th April deadline.”

The consultation will also inform the agenda for a Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability, which will take place in May 2026 and will be chaired by Minister Calleary. The Summit forms part of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which acknowledges the extra costs faced by disabled people and promotes a whole-of-Government response.

Deputy O’Shea added “Improving outcomes for disabled people must remain central to Government policy. Meaningful consultation is essential to ensure this new support payment is fair, practical and responsive to real-life needs. I particularly welcome the wide range of accessible formats that have been prepared to ensure participation is open to as many people as possible.”

Submissions can be made by email, post, phone or video. For full details on how to make a submission, visit: www.gov.ie/COD

Accessible consultation materials include:

• Irish Sign Language (ISL) video

• Easy-to-Read version

• Screen-reader friendly Word document

• Braille version

Deputy O’Shea concluded by saying “I would urge people across Cork North West and throughout the country to take a few moments to share their views. This is a significant opportunity to help shape a long-term, sustainable support that recognises and addresses the real cost of disability.”