Minister Calleary hosts Strategic Focus Network Summit on Cost of Disability

Today, the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, hosted a Strategic Focus Network Summit on Cost of Disability, engaging with disabled people, their representative groups and other stakeholders.

This Summit is a key commitment under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2026 which was developed with significant input from Disability groups and advocates and published by the Government last September. The strategy adopts a whole-of-Government approach to advancing the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The Summit follows a public consultation process on the Cost of Disability which saw over 1,000 submissions received.

There were 150 people at the event with many more joining online. Attendees at the in-person event included Disabled Person Organisations, Disabled Persons Representative Organisations, Advocacy and Membership Bodies, Government Ministers, members of the Oireachtas, academics, and representatives from several Government Departments.

The Taoiseach, Micheál Martin said:

“I was very pleased to open today’s Strategic Focus Network Summit. Disabled people often face extra financial burden across many aspects of life. It is important that we listen to the lived experiences of disabled people as we continue our work on addressing the cost of disability. I know there were really good discussions today and I look forward to receiving the report of the Summit.

Supporting those with disabilities is a key Government priority and that is why we have adopted a whole of government approach when it comes to this issue.

I want to thank everyone who took part in today’s event.”

The Tánaiste, Simon Harris said:

“Improving rights and services for disabled people is a key priority for Government.

It’s why we’ve significantly ramped up investment in services, appointed a dedicated Minister with Disability to sit at the Cabinet table and published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030.

But as a Government, we know we need to do more and do better for disabled people.

Today, we have heard clearly about the true cost of disability. That’s why we are committed to introducing a Cost of Disability Payment and working with stakeholders to implement forward improvements to support the lives of people of disabilities across the country.”

Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary said:

“The Summit is a really important event which I was delighted to host today.

We all know that disabled people face additional costs in their daily lives. It was so important to hear about people’s lived experience today.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to make a submission to the consultation process or to attend the Summit today whether in-person or on-line.

We have collated a lot of really useful insights which will help us greatly as we move forward in designing a cost of disability payment and looking at other measures which can reduce costs for people.”

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley said:

“One of the top three issues identified by disabled people themselves during the drafting of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People was having enough money to cover the extra costs related to disability. Disabled people need to have right supports, in the right place, at the right time. It was very valuable to hear the insights that people so generously put forward today. These will be of great help to us in moving forward with the next steps.”

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Seán Canney said:

“It was very important to hear directly today from disabled people about the additional costs and barriers they face in everyday life and those experiences are vital in shaping future policy. Today’s discussions also highlighted the importance of accessible transport and mobility in supporting independence, inclusion and participation in everyday life, and there is significant work underway to improve accessibility and reduce barriers across the transport network.”

The Summit included a panel discussion with Disabled Person’s Organisations on the lived experience of the additional costs faced by disabled people.

There was also a roundtable discussion on a Cost of Disability payment which the Government has committed to introducing.

In the breakout sessions there were discussions across the five pillars which underpin the strategy: Inclusive Learning and Education; Employment; Independent Living and Active Participation in Society; Wellbeing and Health; and Transport and Mobility.

A recording of the plenary sessions will be made available online at: www.gov.ie/CODSummit

Notes:

National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030

The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 was published on 3 September 2025. The strategy adopts a whole-of-Government approach to advancing the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Individual Government Departments and State Agencies are responsible for planning and delivering the commitments that come under their remit across five key Pillars:

1. Inclusive Learning and Education
2. Employment
3. Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
4. Wellbeing and Health
5. Transport and Mobility

The Department of Social Protection is co-lead on Pillar 2 - Employment - with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.

Strategic Focus Network Summits, led by the appropriate Government Department or Agency, will bring together key stakeholders to provide focused inputs across core and cross-cutting issues. One of these is on the theme “Cost of Disability” and it is led by the Department of Social Protection. Under this initiative, all Government Departments are to develop and implement whole-of-Government solutions, including in relation to the enhancement of services, that will address poverty, and the additional financial burden faced by disabled people. A report of the Summit will be published and presented to the Delivery and Monitoring Committee which is chaired by An Taoiseach.