DFI Pre-Budget 2027: The Least We Can Expect
Issued on June 29 2026
DFI's Pre-Budget Submission 2027 sets out what disabled people in Ireland need from Budget 2027, and why this is the year Government must deliver on the promises it has made.
The moment we're in
Budget 2027 arrives at a moment of real consequence. The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People has been published. Ireland faces its first UN hearing on disability rights in 2027. A Cost of Disability payment is finally on the horizon. This is hard-won progress. Budget 2027 is the first real test of whether it becomes lived reality.
As the Tánaiste said it himself in the Human Rights Strategy: "access to the same services and supports as everyone else is the least disabled people can expect."
That's the standard we're holding Government to. None of what follows is radical. It is the least that disabled people should expect.
Why this matters now
Voluntary organisations provide over two-thirds of disability services on behalf of the State
Disabled people face extra costs of €11,046–€15,617 every year
6,526 households had a disability related housing need in 2025, making up 10.5% of households on the list (Summary of Social Housing Assessments 2025).
45% of people unable to work due to disability felt downhearted or depressed at least some of the time in 2025, against a 15.6% population average (CSO Wellbeing 2025)
429,000 disabled people are supported by DFI members each year
A whole-of-Government response
The barriers facing disabled people don't respect departmental boundaries. Housing, health, transport, income, employment and community inclusion are deeply interconnected. Progress in one depends on action in another.
Two changes cut across everything. Accessibility and Universal Design must be built in from the outset, not bolted on afterwards. And Disabled Persons' Organisations must be properly funded.
Our Budget priorities 2027
Budget transparency and accessibility
Show clearly where disability funding goes, how decisions are made, and make all Budget materials accessible.
Disability services and organisations
Stabilise the organisations delivering two-thirds of disability services, and expand supports in line with rising need.
Mainstream healthcare access
Make everyday health services genuinely accessible and equitable for disabled people.
Cost of Disability, poverty and employment
Deliver an adequate standard of living, including a recurring Cost of Disability payment and action on poverty.
Community inclusion and transport
Enable disabled people to participate fully in community life, with transport that works.
Accessible and affordable housing
Invest in Universal Design homes and the supports that make independent living real.
Our submission
We've organised every ask by lead government department, so ministers, officials and stakeholders can quickly find what's relevant to them. Where an ask spans several departments, it signals a shared commitment that needs coordination across Government to deliver.
Quick downloable resources
Our full campaign toolkit includes:
Social media 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 the campaign toolkit here
