We welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the development of Ireland’s next national social inclusion strategy, due to commence in 2026. (deadline for submission is today, June 30th)
As outlined in the consultation process, the ambition to reduce consistent poverty to 2% or less and to make Ireland one of the most socially inclusive countries in the EU is both essential and urgent. However, for too many people, particularly those with disabilities and chronic illness, this ambition remains out of reach due to persistent structural and policy barriers.
Our submission is grounded in the lived experiences of individuals within the ME community in Ireland.
Over the past 12 months in particular, many members of our community have come forward to share their personal experiences, challenges, and concerns, especially in relation to financial hardship, housing, securing and maintaining a ‘home’, transport and accessibility, home care supports, Disability Services, access to education, and a range of other critical issues.
We are grateful to those who have spoken up, not only on their own behalf but also for those who face similar struggles yet remain unheard.
We have listened carefully and respectfully to these voices, and based on their feedback, we presented a set of key recommendations in our submission. These are organised across the following areas:
1. Disability and Poverty
• Tackle the significantly higher At Risk of Poverty or Social Exclusion (AROPE) rate among disabled people
• Reform Disability Allowance eligibility to be based on disability rather than means
• Introduce additional supports to address the extra costs of living with a disability
• And more
2. Health & Social Care Access
• Reform medical card eligibility to reflect medical need rather than means
• Improve access to disability services and specialist care for people with a disability including those with ME
• And more
3. Housing
• Address the housing crisis with an emphasis on the needs of disabled people
• Ensure the availability of appropriate, accessible, and safe housing
• Improve access to grants and supports for home adaptations
• And more
4. Energy Poverty
• Address rising energy costs and their disproportionate impact on disabled people
• Extend the Fuel Allowance season to protect health and wellbeing
• Increase the Fuel Allowance to reflect the actual cost of living
• And more
5. Care Systems
• Address the crisis across Home Care Supports and Nursing Homes
• And more
We believe that a future roadmap must embed disability rights, economic justice, and universal design at its core to ensure no one is left behind.
Please see our Submission to the Public Consultation
Disability should not be a poverty sentence
#LeaveNoOneBehind
Our Previous Submissions
The ME Community's Open Letter to the HSE CCO May 2024
Green Paper on Disability Reform Submission November 2023
Pre-Budget 2024 Submission September 2023
Joint Committee on Disability Matters Submission November 2020
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