Community and voluntary sector makes united case to Minister ahead of Budget 2027

DFI joined ten fellow umbrella bodies from across the community and voluntary sector this week to meet the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Jack Chambers, ahead of Budget 2027.

The meeting was part of the sector's shared "Stronger Together" work, coordinated through the Coalition of Community and Voluntary Service Providers. Together, the eleven organisations represent more than 1,000 not-for-profit bodies employing over 50,000 people, delivering essential services in disability, mental health, homelessness, child and family services, domestic and sexual violence, addiction and home care.

The Coalition highlighted that the community and voluntary sector is a partner in delivering Ireland's public services, not a supplement to them, and it needs a funding model that reflects the real cost of that delivery.

A central concern raised was the cost of pension auto-enrolment. The new My Future Fund scheme, which began on 1 January 2026, is a welcome step for workers' long-term financial security. However, for organisations funded by the State to deliver its services, the employer contributions represent a significant new cost with no dedicated funding attached. Without dedicated funding, the Coalition cautioned, a welcome reform risks destabilising the very services people depend on.

The organisations also called for a genuine whole-of-government approach to funding the sector, warning that inconsistent interpretations across departments and agencies undermine the services the State relies on.

Read DFI CEO Elaine Teague's reflection on the meeting and the power of collaboration: https://rebrand.ly/y3juvwh

Who's in the coalition?

The Coalition of Community and Voluntary Service Providers was initially formed in 2023. It includes bodies funded under Section 56, Section 39, 10 and 40 Service Level Agreements and comprises representatives from the following umbrella organisations:

• Coalition of Tusla Funded Grantees
• Disability Federation of Ireland
• Dublin Homeless Network (National Special Purpose Group)
• Family Resource Centres National Forum
• Mental Health Reform
• National Community Care Network
• National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers
• National Voluntary Drug and Alcohol Sector
• Network of Cuan Funded Organisations
• Simon Communities of Ireland
• The Wheel.