March for Emergency Winter Disability Payment – 28 February
February 6 2026, 04:47pm
Since Budget 2026, our coalition, has campaigned for a €400 Emergency Winter Payment to replace targeted financial supports stopped in Budget 2026. These were measures provided by government over three consecutive budgets from 2023-2025 and their loss is having a major impact this year.
We warned Government of this impact, with people living in freezing homes, and debt rising, with arrears felt long past the winter months.
The government has chosen to ignore those warnings, citing "fiscal sustainability" while sitting on a record surplus.
The campaign has become a national movement with disabled people, organisations and supporters coming from all across teh country to get behind the demand.
That’s why we’re asking you to save the date for a major national protest..
Date: Saturday, 28 February
Time: Assembly at 1pm
Start: Garden of Remembrance, Dublin
End: The Customs House
Why we’re marching
We are marching because thousands of people with disabilities are currently up to €1,400 worse off following Budget 2026. People deserve more than being forced to choose between heating their homes and eating a meal.
Please mark your calendars and bring your banners. We need disabled people, families, allies and anyone interested in equality to make our voices heard.
More details on accessibility and speakers will follow soon.
See our Cost of Disability factsheet here.
Take action: Email your TD here.
The campaign is led by
- Disability Federation of Ireland
- Irish Wheelchair Association
- Access for All
With welcome support from
- Clare Leader Forum
- Disability Power Ireland
- Dyslexia Ireland
- Irish Senior Citizens Parliament
- Care Alliance Ireland
- Cheshire Ireland
- ADHD Ireland
- National Council for People with Disabilities
- WALK
Text of flyer
[Page 1] NATIONAL PROTEST for an Emergency Disability Payment
Saturday, 28 February 2026 at 1pm
ASSEMBLE
1pm at The Garden of Remembrance, Parnell Square, Dublin 1.
Start: Garden of Remembrance (Parnell Square) Finish: The Custom House (Custom House Quay) Distance: Approx. 1.5km (Flat, paved route) If you wish to support the protest but not march, please meet us at the Custom House.
Why We're Marching: For the last three budgets the Government has recognised the extra Cost of Disability with one-off payments. In Budget 2026, they removed those payments without replacing them. This gap is forcing people with disabilities to choose between heating and eating.
The Government has refused our call for a €400 Emergency Disability Payment. We can't wait until another budget! People are suffering today!
The Cut: People with Disabilities are up to €1,400 worse off this year. The Reality: People with Disabilities are choosing between heating and eating. The Demand: Implement an Emergency Disability Payment of €400. We cannot wait until 2027!
Organisers: Irish Wheelchair Association, DFI, Access for All #EmergencyDisabilityPayment
[Page 2] Choice, not charity / Heat or Eat
DISABLED BY THE STATE SECOND-CLASS
Getting There and Parking
Public Transport: The Garden of Remembrance is served by the Green Line Luas (Parnell Stop), various Dublin Bus routes, and is a short distance from Connolly Station (DART/Train).
Parking (City Centre):
Q-Park The Spire: Next to the old Cleary's Building. Cathal Brugha Street (approx. 5 min walk to start).
Q-Park Marlborough Street: (approx. 7 min walk to start).
Ilac Centre Car Park: Parnell Street (approx. 5 min walk to start). Note: On-street parking is very limited in this area.
Accessible Parking: There are designated disabled parking bays on Parnell Square North and North Great George's Street, but these fill up quickly. We recommend arriving early or using the accessible spaces in the multi-story car parks listed above.
Accessibility Information The Route: The march will proceed down O'Connell Street, which is wide and paved. There is a slight downhill gradient towards the river, but the route is generally flat. Pace: This will be a slow-paced march to accommodate all mobility needs.