Advocacy

From heating bills to inaccessible transport—IWA members speak out on the daily realities of living with a disability in Ireland.
Page 3|Spokeout June 2025
We launched our Pre Budget Campaign outside Leinster House on Tuesday May 27 last with a great turn out from members and staff who engaged passionately with politicians on key issues affecting their lives.

Choosing between eating or heating is an impossible choice many of our members face every winter in Ireland and we are calling on the Government to finally address the cost of disability in the upcoming budget.

A group of Irish Wheelchair Association members and supporters gather outside Leinster House holding campaign signs that read “Heat or Eat,” “Access for All,” “Choice, not charity,” “Fund Personal Assistant Services,” and more, calling on the Government to address the cost of disability in Budget 2026.
IWA members and staff rally outside Leinster House for the launch of the Pre-Budget 2026 campaign, calling for urgent action on the cost of disability and investment in vital supports.

A steady flow of representatives from across the political divide came and heard first-hand the various challenges being experienced by our members across a number of critical areas like transport, housing and access as well as the constant struggle to make ends meet.

Among them was Evan Power, who travelled with a group from Portlaoise Community Centre, and shared how his heating bills reach up to €700 a month during the winter months. After paying his bills, he’s left with just €30 to live on during the summer but in the winter, he could be left with nothing.

“I’m very good at budgeting and manage my money well, but the truth is, once I pay my bills, I have €30 left over each week. Being in a wheelchair with limited mobility means it’s harder to stay warm as my movement is limited, so in the lead up to and during the winter months, I’m totally focused on ensuring I’ve enough money to pay my heating bill, which can go up to €700 a month,”

Evan Power, a wheelchair user, holds a green sign that reads “Heat or Eat #Budget26” during IWA’s Pre-Budget 2026 campaign outside Leinster House.
Evan Power joined IWA’s Pre-Budget 2026 demonstration to call on Government to address the soaring cost of living faced by people with disabilities.

Dundalk member John Morgan also made the trip to Leinster House.  He said: “I have bad circulation, and one of the biggest expenses is having to put on the heating. I know you get the heating allowance, but that is never enough.”

He added: “Where we live, after 6pm you can’t get a bus.  If I want to see a show advertised in town, you are talking €25 for a taxi there and back, so you are housebound, a prisoner, whatever you want to call it.  After 6pm you have no social life.”

Jane Fennessy from Navan said: “I really struggle with the cost of living as I am on disability allowance.  Most of my disability allowance would go on bills before I even get the grocery shop.  I would like to see a payment on top of my disability allowance to help me live without fear of turning on my heat or electricity.”

Simon Cusack from Ardee IWA said: “The funding is there, why can’t they give it? They are spending money on what? A bicycle shed that costs the price of a house, come on, where are they going?

“We are not looking for millions.  We just want a big of respect.  We want more access to buildings, transport, and thing to make our lives easier.  We don’t want obstacles, we have enough.”

Dundalk IWA member John Morgan, a wheelchair user, holds a “Heat or Eat #Budget26” sign while smiling at his disability assistance dog. They are outside Leinster House during IWA’s Pre-Budget 2026 campaign.
Dundalk member John Morgan and his assistance dog at IWA’s Pre-Budget 2026 protest, highlighting the real cost of staying warm and independent in Ireland.

In our submission, IWA is urging the Government to introduce a realistic Cost of Disability payment after 92% of IWA members surveyed reported that they incur extra costs related to their disability. These span across equipment, heating, medical and transport, as people with disabilities often have to rely on costly taxis to get them to and from appointments. 

Our urgent recommendations in Budget 2026 include: 

  • A minimum increase of €78 in the weekly Disability Allowance (from €244 to €322)
  • A Cost of Disability Payment to reflect the extra living costs incurred by people with disabilities
  • Pay parity for Section 39 workers, who deliver vital disability services

Joan Carthy expressed her thanks to all the members who attended the gathering outside Leinster House and also those politicians who made themselves available.

She pointed out that this is just the start of the Pre-Budget campaign.

For members who were unable to attend the event at the Dáil, there’s still time to take action. You can email your local TDs, Senators, and Councillors directly through our simple online tool and ask them to support IWA’s key pre-budget recommendations. The message is fully editable so you can tailor it to reflect your personal experiences and priorities.

Joan Carthy, IWA Advocacy Manager, sits in a wheelchair outside Leinster House holding a green sign that reads “Heat or Eat #Budget26” during the IWA Pre-Budget 2026 campaign.
IWA Advocacy Manager Joan Carthy leads the call for urgent Government action at the launch of IWA’s Pre-Budget 2026 campaign outside Leinster House.

Joan added: “People with disabilities want to contribute, belong and live independently—but the cost of doing so is being ignored. Some members have told to us that they are having to choose between heating their homes or eating. Over half of our members state they do not have enough personal assistant hours, until pay parity and sectoral funding are sorted, this will continue.”   

 “We have had good engagement with the Minister for Disability and the Department, but this is the Government’s chance to take action through funding and strategic planning for the future of people with disabilities in Ireland.” 

 IWA is also calling for: 

  • Investment in Personal Assistant services, accessible housing, and transport
  • Resourcing to fully implement the National Disability Strategy, once issued

Read more about Pre-Budget 2026 below

Pre-Budget 2026

Heat or Eat Pre-budget 2026

You can read more about our recommendations in IWA’s 2026 Pre-Budget Summary or explore the full details in IWA’s complete 2026 Pre-Budget Submission

Read More
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