Speech by Taoiseach, Micheál Martin at the Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability

Speech by Taoiseach, Micheál Martin at the Strategic Focus Network Summit on the Cost of Disability

• From: Department of the Taoiseach

• Published on: 13 May 2026
• Last updated on: 13 May 2026

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Introduction

Dia daoibh ar maidin, a dhaoine uaisle.

Good morning, everyone. Thank you all for joining us today, whether you are here in the room with us or following online.

I would like to thank my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary for extending me the opportunity to speak with you today, at this Strategic Focus Network Summit under the new Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.

Today's summit will allow for an intensive, and collaborative, examination of the Cost of Disability.

It provides an important space for shared learning and strategic thinking, allowing for the identification of key actions that can be progressed during the lifetime of the Strategy.

Government Commitment

As Taoiseach, I have made it a Government priority to deliver a step change in delivery of improved supports and services for disabled people.

The Government and I are committed to delivering real solutions to enhance services to better support disabled people and meet their needs.

The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which I launched last September, is the Government's plan to ensure disabled people are supported and empowered to live full lives in their communities and in our society.

The Strategy adopts a whole of Government approach, and that is key. Because the issues and challenges disabled people are facing cut right across Government and we need to ensure a coordinated approach to address these issues.

To strengthen cross-government working and collaboration, I established the Disability Unit in my Department to bring a renewed focus, urgency and weight to disability issues.

We have also established the Cabinet Committee on Disability, which I chair, which is working to ensure delivery of our national disability strategy, improved services, better employment opportunities for disabled people, and delivery of other important reforms.

Engagement & Collaboration

While strong cross-Government coordination is central to the successful implementation of disability policy, it is even more important that we listen and actively engage with the people who are directly impacted by these policies.

And this is why I am here today.

I know many of you were involved in the development of the Strategy, and many of you have made submissions to the consultation process on the cost of disability in advance to today's forum.

I want to sincerely thank you for your contributions.

I firmly believe that through engagement and collaboration we can make permanent progress in tackling longstanding issues and needs.

Cost of Disability

We are all aware of the significant additional costs that disabled people can face in their daily lives.

For this reason, the Government and I have committed in the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People to improving outcomes for disabled people by introducing permanent measures that address these costs in a sustainable manner.

Tackling the cost of disability will involve both targeted and mainstream measures, including improving access to services and improving social protection supports.

Broader progress on enhancing the provision of, and access to, public services in Ireland will play an important role.

Budget 2026 was a start to providing the step change needed for disabled people, through permanent and sustainable measures.

We introduced a substantial €1.15 billion package of new social protection measures.

We delivered increases in social welfare rates across a range of schemes, including Child support payments and increases for qualifying adults.

We introduced additional supports for people moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension into employment to reduce the disability employment gap.

And substantial increases in income disregards were put in place.

In addition to these social protection measures, the budget saw record investment in services including €3.8 billion for disability services and €3 billion for special education.

We also stepped up investment in mainstream services - whether that be health, education or transport.

Equitable access, for all, to services, including ensuring appropriate access for disabled people to mainstream services, must be central to how we address the challenge of the cost of disability.

Increased global uncertainty and unpredictability in recent months have however brought serious new challenges.

The Government is very mindful of the impact we all face due to increasing fuel costs - indeed we know that disabled people are particularly vulnerable in this regard.

I want to assure you that we are fully committed to supporting those most in need.

Already, we have taken action to help households and businesses with the cost of fuel and energy, including reductions in excise on petrol and diesel, and an extension of the fuel allowance season, helping in particular pensioners, carers, people with a disability and low-income working families.

Conclusion

In this context, today's event becomes even more important.

We want to take time to listen, to hear your experiences and gather your ideas for how we can best address the additional costs that disabled people face.

We are determined to move consistently over the lifetime of this Government to build up permanent and sustainable measures, step by step, to address the cost of disability.

Following today's Summit, the Department of Social Protection will prepare and publish a briefing paper setting out lessons learnt and identifying possible actions - this will also feed into discussions for forthcoming budgets.

The National Delivery and Monitoring Committee, which I chair, and which involves Government Ministers, representatives of the Disabled Person's Organisations, and civil society organisations will also consider the paper in July.

You have a busy day ahead.

I wish you a good event, with engaging and substantive discussions.

I look forward to hearing the views that are shared and to using the outcome of today to guide us on the next steps we will take.

Bainigí sult as an gcomhdháil, bíodh sí ina hócáid thairbheach agus bí páirteach go gníomhach inti.

Ends