DFI Annual Report 2025
Issued on June 24 2026
2025 was a turning point for DFI. With a fresh Strategic Plan for 2026–2029, DFI shifted focus from what disability rights should look like to making them work in real life.
The year's big achievements
DFI made real progress on fair pay. For the first time, Section 39 organisations (which employ staff across the voluntary disability sector) secured a structured pay agreement through the WRC, delivering 3% pay rises to workers who've faced chronic underpayment compared to state agencies.
The federation shaped national policy. Its research report Bridging the Gap highlighted gaps in local implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), with many recommendations included in the government's new National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.
Where DFI pushed back
While Budget 2026 added funding for disability services, it removed critical cost-of-living supports without replacement, leaving disabled people up to €1,400 worse off. DFI responded with a major campaign and protest outside Leinster House to demand an Emergency Disability Payment. The campaign was led by DFI and our colleagues at the Irish Wheelchair Association and Access for All.
Supporting the Sector
In 2025, we worked with over 100 member organisations, collectively supporting more than 133,500 people annually and employing 11,400 staff. The federation delivered training in strategy, governance, and communications to strengthen small and medium organisations that often lack dedicated resources.
The Self-Advocacy Toolkit launched in 2025 became an immediate resource, downloaded 170 times by organisations eager to build disabled people's voices into their work. Across the federation, 100% of members participated in at least one DFI team or training in 2025.
Looking ahead
In 2026, DFI will pursue a permanent Cost of Disability payment, monitor whether the government keeps the promises in its new Human Rights Strategy, and use Ireland's EU Presidency to push for stronger disability rights across Europe.
We achieved Level 2 accreditation under the Improving Quality standard—proof of transparent governance—and we are entering 2026 with a renewed focus to move disability rights from policy documents into daily life for Irish disabled people.