Rising Fuel Costs Threaten Essential Supports Warns IWA

Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) today warned that rising fuel costs are placing unsustainable pressure on Personal Assistants (PAs), putting essential supports for people with physical disabilities at serious risk, particularly in rural areas.

With a government meeting scheduled for Tuesday to discuss cost-of-living pressures, IWA is calling for urgent measures to ensure that essential services are not undermined by escalating travel costs.

Personal Assistants play a critical role in enabling people with disabilities to live independently in their own homes and communities. However, many are now absorbing significant increases in fuel costs in order to travel between the people they support, a situation IWA says cannot continue.

Michael Doyle, Director of Assistant Living Services with Irish Wheelchair Association, said: “Personal Assistants are not optional extras, they are the backbone of independent living and of organisations like IWA. Right now, that backbone is under real strain.”

“Our PAs continue to remain dedicated to supporting the needs of the people they work with, but it is simply not sustainable. If this continues, we will see fewer hours delivered, fewer staff willing to travel, and ultimately fewer choices for people with disabilities.”

IWA emphasised that the impact is particularly severe in rural Ireland, where PAs often travel long distances between clients with staff already reporting unaffordable fuel costs.

IWA highlights that again, it will be people with disabilities bearing the cost of inaction.

IWA is urging Government to use this week’s meeting to introduce practical, immediate solutions as delays cannot be afforded. Stressing that the issue goes beyond cost-of-living pressures and strikes at the heart of equality and independent living.