Emergency Disability Payment Campaign Update: A Message From DFI
Much has happened since we held the Emergency Disability Payment March in Dublin (28 February). We have seen energy prices soar, as unexpected global events and conflict unfold. This is causing huge levels of uncertainty, worry, financial pressure and risk.
There is deep disappointment, and growing anger that no targeted supports have been implemented specifically for the disabled community, particularly from a government that has identified disability as one of its top priorities.
Since last October DFI, along with the Irish Wheelchair Association, Access for All, and other disability organisations and activists, have been consistently campaigning for the introduction of an Emergency Disability Payment to bridge the gap created by the removal of one-off supports in 2026. We have protested twice, written to and met Ministers and gained support from opposition Oireachtas members for our campaign. We have raised these issues in meetings, policy briefs, submissions and in the media.
An Taoiseach publicly said in January that providing such support would not be ‘fiscally sustainable’. Yet in the past month support packages developed in response to rising fuel costs, did not provide targeted supports specifically for the disability community, despite the clear impact.
We continue to hear of people limiting their energy use, turning their heating off or not on at all. They are forced to make difficult choices to manage on very limited income. There is a growing feeling that once again people with disabilities are expected to absorb rising costs without any targeted protection.
A timely ESRI paper published this week established that, discounting one-off supports which helped to mitigate this, Ireland had the highest residential electricity prices in Europe in 2024. Disruption to global energy supply, and energy price impact will continue in the coming weeks and months, with further uncertainty for disabled people.
We are deeply concerned about the impact of current and ongoing energy price increases on the community, and particularly on disabled people’s health and wellbeing. The situation cannot be allowed to continue and worsen.
We need to see a stronger, targeted set of supports for those getting by on the lowest incomes. As they are most likely to be impacted by energy and fuel costs. This should include the following for people with disabilities and households where there is a disabled person:
Delivery of the €400 emergency Cost of Disability payment as requested by DFI and our campaign partners since Budget 2026.
Targeted energy credits for disabled households.
Other immediate supports, such as one-off boosts for Fuel Allowance, Living Alone Allowance, a double-payment and other relevant measures.
A promotional campaign to increase awareness and boost the number of recipients receiving the Heating Supplement.
We will continue to campaign hard on this issue and keep it on the political agenda. We also encourage you to raise these issues with your local TDs. We greatly appreciate your ongoing support and any feedback you have on the current situation and our ongoing campaign.
Yours sincerely,
Emer Begley
Director of Advocacy
Disability Federation of Ireland