Member's Survey Report 2026: We Are DFI

Our members support more than one million people across Ireland. The 2026 DFI Member Survey, completed by 85% of our membership, tells the story of that work. It shows what our members are delivering, the pressure they are under, and what they need to keep going.

The picture it paints is of a federation in strong form, working in a system under strain. Together, our members support over 429,000 disabled people and more than 734,000 family members each year. They employ nearly 13,000 staff and are backed by 12,500 volunteers, making them one of the largest disability support networks in the country.

But the survey is just as honest about the gaps. Right now, 6,445 people are on waiting lists, and almost 23,000 instances of unmet need have been recorded across our membership. Behind each of those numbers is a person whose rights are not yet being realised.

The findings also point clearly to what needs to change. Members are calling for longer-term, more reliable funding, with 54% naming funding uncertainty as their single biggest concern. They want investment in the workforce, meaningful inclusion of disabled people in decision-making, and a Government that follows through on the commitments it has made.

These are the priorities at the heart of our Strategic Plan 2026–2029. The survey confirms we are pointed in the right direction, and it gives us the evidence to press for change through policy engagement, accountability, and the unified voice of our members.

This report is more than a set of figures. It is a shared account of who we are together, and of the work still to be done.

Download the Member Survey Report 2026 (PDF 6MB)