Pre-Budget Submission 2026

From promises to progress: Deliver the step change for people with disabilities

Budget 2026 is the first test of a promise. Let’s make sure it's delivered

One in five people in Ireland is disabled, yet disabled people continue to face the highest poverty rates, longest waiting lists, and lowest access to basic services.

The Programme for Government promised a “step change” for disabled people. Budget 2026 is the first budget of this new Government, and its first opportunity to deliver on that promise.

DFI’s pre-Budget submission 2026 outlines what must happen now to deliver the rights and inclusion guaranteed under the UN CRPD.

Watch our pre-Budget submission 2026 video

View or download:

Our pre-Budget summary here           Our full pre-Budget submision here:

What we’re calling for

To deliver the step change, we’re calling for urgent action across six key areas:

• Tackle disability poverty
  Introduce a €55 weekly Cost of Disability payment, and raise core social protection rates to reflect the true cost of living with a disability.

• Invest in disability services
  Fund Personal Assistance, respite, residential care, and therapy services to meet real levels of need, not outdated targets.

• Support disabled children and families
  Recruit at least 75 additional staff for Children’s Disability Network Teams, CDNTs and improve access to inclusive education and community supports.

• Make housing accessible
  Ensure 7.5% of all new housing is wheelchair liveable. Resource local authorities and expand adaptation and support grants.

• Support community and voluntary disability organisations
  Provide sustainable, multi-annual funding to the voluntary sector that delivers over 70% of disability services in Ireland.

• Advance inclusion and participation
  Fund access to transport, assistive technology, inclusive community programmes, and full participation in decision-making.

The current reality

Disabled people are:

• Four times more likely to live in consistent poverty
• Spending up to 93% of disposable income on extra disability-related costs
• Facing long waits with over 8,000 children have been waiting more than 12 months for initial contact after applying for an assessment of need
• Still forced into nursing homes due to a lack of appropriate housing and supports.

What needs to change

DFI is calling for clear, targeted investment backed by transparency, equality-proofing, and lived experience. Budget 2026 must not repeat the mistakes of the past, it must show that the State is ready to act.

Member's pre-Budget submissions 

DFI members, partner and coalistion organisations are raising their voices ahead of Budget 2026, highlighting the urgent needs of people with disabilities and the actions government must take. See member submissions here. To add your submission to this list email Tom at tommeagher@disability-federation.ie.

Get involved

Together, we can push for a fairer future. Here's how you can get involved:

• Share our campaign on social media using #DeliverTheStepChange
• Download our campaign toolkit here to help call on the government to #DeliverTheStepChange
• Follow and share our socials for updates and stories.

Quick downloable resources

Full campaign toolkit includes:

• Social media graphics and messaging

• Email templates for contacting TDs

• Press release and newsletter copy

• Key facts, stats, and talking points

• Full list of TDs by local constituency with email and X handles. 

Download here:

Download animation:

Download social media tiles