Better Europe Alliance Submit 2025 Input to European Semester Process
Issued on December 4 2025
DFI has joined forces with ten other leading civil society organisations as part of the Better Europe Alliance to present our 2025 input to the European Semester Process.
The submission highlights a critical need to strengthen progress towards social and environmental goals within the EU, particularly against a backdrop where defence and competitiveness are increasingly prioritised over social spending.
Key issues identified
The submission raises concerns regarding the shrinking space for civil society and the persistent high levels of poverty and exclusion experienced by specific groups in Irish society.
As part of this submission, DFI has ensured that the specific structural barriers facing people with disabilities are highlighted, including:
Employment gaps: Ireland continues to have one of the worst disability employment gaps in the EU. Access to jobs is hindered by financial and non-financial barriers, including the cost of returning to education, transport accessibility, and the fear of losing secondary benefits such as the medical card.
Poverty and cost of living: 30.3% of persons with disabilities in Ireland are at risk of poverty or social exclusion, a figure higher than the EU average. The submission notes that one-off budgetary supports have masked the real impact of the cost of living and the specific Cost of Disability.
Housing: The acute housing crisis is identified as a major driver of exclusion, with social housing and affordable targets consistently missed.
Our Recommendations
The Alliance welcomes that the 2025 Country Specific Recommendations (CSRs) for Ireland included a socially-focussed recommendation for the first time since 2021. However, we are calling for a more systemic and holistic approach in 2026.
The Better Europe Alliance is calling for:
Socially-focused CSRs: The 2026 recommendations must include specific measures to address poverty, deprivation, and inequality, ensuring that economic growth translates into social progress.
A just transition: Climate and digital transitions must be managed fairly to ensure they do not leave marginalised groups behind.
Strengthened engagement: We are calling on the Department of the Taoiseach to introduce a process for more meaningful and effective engagement with civil society regarding the European Semester.
About the Better Europe Alliance
The Better Europe Alliance is a coalition coordinated by the European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) Ireland. Members include DFI, SIPTU, the Environmental Pillar, the National Women’s Council, and others working together for a social and sustainable Europe.