Budget 2025 a ‘missed opportunity’ to make a real difference in disabled people’s lives 

Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) said that the budget missed an opportunity to address structural issues to progress disability, equality and inclusion. DFI highlighted service gaps and funding shortfalls that leave disabled people across Ireland marginalised and without essential resources.   

DFI CEO, Elaine Teague said that the budget doesn’t meet the government’s commitments outlined in the Programme for Government to seriously make a difference for disabled people.  

“Unless they are adequately addressed, the costs of unmet needs are borne by disabled people themselves, who are needlessly penalised by the refusal to fund services at a level that is sufficient to support them to participate equally in their communities.  

Minister Donohue announced €336 million funding for disability services. Ms Teague said that this is not enough to address the issues experienced by disabled people from the shortfall in services.  

“The Taoiseach teed up this budget by saying people with a disability would ‘feel seen by this Government’. This is not the experience of disabled people who are struggling to access services. While we welcome the €366 million, it simply doesn’t provide enough to honour this statement or the government’s commitment in their Programme for Government. Without proper funding for services, already stretched waiting lists will get longer, and that means disabled people are often reacting to crises rather than getting the support they need.  

“Our pre-budget submission called for more transparency on the budget announcement related to funding for services. We look forward to getting more clarity on how the €366m is allocated.”  

Ms Teague has said that disabled people have been calling for a recurring Cost of Disability payment for decades and they are still not being heard.  

“While we are not disregarding the €400 one-off payment, the cost of disability is ongoing. Disability is not a one-off, and it can’t be tackled with unpredictable one-off payments. The cost of disability has again been linked with rising cost of living. But these many extra costs are lifelong. Payments should cover these extra costs on a permanent recurring basis. If the Taoiseach wants disabled people to “feel seen,” this is what they need to consider."

Ms Teague explained that the lack of support for disabled people in Ireland is a policy choice, and our obligations to support inclusion, wellbeing and participation of disabled people needs to be taken seriously.   

“It’s not good enough. We are amongst the worst countries in the EU for the rates of poverty experienced by disabled people, and we have one of the highest disability employment gaps.  As one of the wealthiest countries in Europe, it remains a national shame that Ireland has still not addressed the gaps in service provision and disability poverty that continue to exclude people with disabilities from participating and thriving in their communities”, she said.   

ENDS  

For more information contact:     

DFI Communications Manager: Tom Meagher at 086 076 4114, tommeagher@disability-federation.ie