Archives: News

17th February 2026 

Inclusion Ireland is calling on the Government to move from budget commitments to urgent delivery, warning that a lack of proactive planning has left housing and independent living support for people with an intellectual disability in ” emergency mode.” 

Despite significant investment in Budget 2026, people with intellectual disabilities and their families continue to face a “planning gap” that often results in expensive, for-profit emergency placements far from their communities when a crisis inevitably hits.  Better and earlier planning with people would have helped avoid these crisis situations.  

Independent living is a right under Article 19 of the UNCRPD, and that “choice” must be at the heart of the system – whether it is living independently, personalised budgets, supported living, or residential care that matches the person’s wishes. 

Data from Inclusion Ireland’s 1,000 Voices survey reveals a stark reality: while 53% of adults with intellectual disabilities identify “getting a home of my own” as a top concern, only 10% have both the wish and a concrete plan to move. Furthermore, 43% of families report they do not have the information necessary to plan for the future. 

Tomás Murphy, Co-Chair of the Board of Inclusion Ireland, said: 

“We know that many of our members at Inclusion Ireland do not have a proper plan for their future. This is leading to a lot of stress and concern. It should be more straightforward to apply for housing and the support to live in that house. Right now, people don’t have clear information and they are worried about their futures.” 

The urgency is underscored by the aging profile of families. Estimates indicate that approximately 1,500 adults with intellectual disabilities are living with parents over the age of 70, with 450 cared for by parents over 80.  

“The most humane, rights-compliant, and economical approach is to plan with people well in advance, all it would take is forward thinking. These individuals are already known to the system through schools and HSE services. They should not be invisible until a crisis occurs.” – Derval McDonagh, CEO, Inclusion Ireland 

While the Government has made commitments via the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030, Inclusion Ireland highlights that progress is currently hindered by a lack of joined-up delivery between the Department of Housing, the HSE, and local authorities. 

Inclusion Ireland’s Priority Actions for Reform: 

• Establish a National Future Planning Pathway Standard: A “one-stop-shop” in every county to provide clear information and a named local coordinator for people and their families.   It should be straight forward for people to apply for housing and the support to live in that house. Right now, the system is fragmented and unclear.   

• Strengthen Data Collection: Implementing a common data standard to measure need and track outcomes and delivery. 

• Adopt a ‘Community-First’ Delivery Rule: Ensuring new investment expands community-based housing and supported living, broadening the choices available to people.  

The key point is choice. People with intellectual disabilities should get the type of home and support that is right for them. Services should be person-centred, support decision-making, and help people stay connected to their communities.  

15th January 2026

Inclusion Ireland welcomes the publication of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ List of Issues for Ireland, which sets out the questions the Government must now answer as part of its next UN disability rights review. 

The List of Issues highlights long-standing gaps between Ireland’s commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the lived experience of people with intellectual disabilities. Many of the Committee’s questions closely reflect concerns raised by Disabled Persons’ Organisations, families and self-advocates, including those set out by Inclusion Ireland in our submission on independent living, safeguarding, and the cost of disability. 

The Committee places strong emphasis on the right to independent living and community inclusion. Despite repeated commitments under the Programme for Government and the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People, thousands of people with intellectual disabilities continue to live in congregated or institutional-type settings, or in family homes by default rather than choice. HIQA figures show that almost a quarter of disabled people living in designated residential centres remain in congregated settings, despite clear evidence that community–based supports deliver better outcomes. The Committee is now asking the Government to account for delays, lack of legal entitlements, and the absence of clear timelines for change. 

The Committee raises serious concerns about inclusive education. While the State has explicitly acknowledged through the EPSEN Review that the present framework is not fit for purpose and must align with Ireland’s obligations under the UNCRPD, it has yet to commit to enforceable statutory rights to assessment, planning and appeal, or to a time-bound, costed plan to deliver inclusive education. This risks the continued exclusion of children with intellectual disabilities and undermines the realisation of their rights under Article 24 of the Convention. 

Safeguarding failures are also a central concern. The Committee’s direct reference to the Grace case underlines the serious consequences when systems fail to protect disabled people, particularly people with intellectual disabilities who face heightened risk due to power imbalances, lack of independent advocacy, and institutional failures. This scrutiny is especially significant, considering the forthcoming Commission of Investigation into the Handling of Historical Child Sexual Abuse in Schools, reinforcing the urgent need for robust adult safeguarding legislation. 

The List of Issues also reflects deep concern about poverty and the cost of disability. Data from our 1,000 Voices Pre-Budget Submission shows that nearly 80% of households report private spending on therapies, transport or basic supports as having a significant impact on their household budget, while two-thirds of adults with an intellectual disability say current social welfare supports do not meet their needs. The Committee’s questions reinforce the need to move beyond consultation and deliver a permanent cost-of-disability payment that reflects disabled people’s disproportionate risk of poverty. 

Whilst we are pleased to see our issues highlighted by the United Nations,  Inclusion Ireland now calls on the Government to respond with clear actions, firm timelines, and transparent accountability mechanisms. Ireland’s UN review is a critical opportunity to ensure commitments on paper result in measurable change in the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.  

You can view an easy to read version of this statement here: List of Issues Easy to Read

Tender for Research Access to Justice and Participation for Nonspeaking People

We are excited to launch the tender for this important and ground breaking, independent research project focused on non-speaking people with intellectual disabilities.

For too long this non-speaking people  have been left out of the conversation. This research aims to highlight the systemic barriers they face across key areas like justice, health and education. We want to  identify clear actions needed to ensure equal and meaningful participation wherever decisions are made.

We are seeking an independent researcher to deliver this foundational work in 2026. Review the tender documents and submit your proposal today!

View the full tender document here.

Submissions should be sent to info@inclusionireland.ie by 18^th January 2026

 October 7th 2025   

Following the announcement of Budget 2026, Inclusion Ireland, the national association for people with an intellectual disability, today welcomed the Government’s commitment of an additional €634 million to disability services but cautioned that the true measure of this investment will be its impact on the rights of people with intellectual disabilities and the delivery of long-term, person-led, rights focused change.  

Inclusion Ireland CEO, Derval McDonagh, acknowledged the significant figure but called for clarity on how this substantial funding will be allocated.  

“The allocation of an additional €634 million for disability services is a welcome, major investment that acknowledges the scale of rights that have not been upheld across the country. It is a necessary, first step response to the persistent gaps our members have told us about and that we highlighted in our ‘1,000 Voices, One Message: Invest in Our Rights’ Pre-Budget Submission.  

Our community needs to know: will this significant investment be used for new, rights-based developments, or will the majority be swallowed up in simply ‘keeping the lights on’ for a service model that is often outdated and non-compliant with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)?  

The people we represent are not looking for short-term fixes or charity; they are demanding the fulfilment of their human rights. This investment must be transformative.”  

 While welcoming the overall direction of a rights-focused strategy, Inclusion Ireland noted key points of concern and disappointment across several departments:  

Disability Services (Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration 

• We welcome the specific allocation for 150 extra therapists for the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs), a necessary injection of resources given the current crisis in therapy waiting lists.  

• We require urgent clarification on the funding allocated for Personal Assistant (PA) services (as distinct from Home Support hours), which are foundational to independent living and must be significantly increased to meet demand.  

• We so far have seen no mention of personalised budgets in the announcements although more detail will follow in due course.  

• We welcome the focus on deinstitutionalisation. 

Cost of Disability and Poverty (Social Protection)  

• We recognise the increase in core social welfare payments, but this increase falls far short of what is required to lift people with disabilities out of poverty and meet the spiralling cost of living. 

• The absence of a commitment to introduce a dedicated Cost of Disability Payment is deeply disappointing and leaves thousands of people with disabilities and their families struggling with unavoidable extra costs.  

• We welcome changes to the wage subsidy scheme. 

Inclusive Education (Department of Education)  

• The announcement of additional resources, including Special Education Teachers (SETs) and SNAs, is a welcome boost to schools. However, there was no mention of tackling restrictive class sizes. 

• There was a missed opportunity to clearly articulate a commitment to the progressive realisation of a truly inclusive model of education across the entire system, as required under the UNCRPD. 

Inclusion Ireland will continue to analyse the full budgetary documentation, including the Finance Bill, to gain a clear understanding of what is being provided.   

You can access an Easy to Read document about Budget 2026 here: Easy to Read Budget 2026

For more information please contact: 

Caoimhe Suipéil, Head of Communications, Inclusion Ireland  

Email: caoimhe@inclusionireland.ie  

Phone: 086-2265813 

On Tuesday, October 7 2025, the Minister for Finance will announce Budget 2026.

How to Make Your Voice Heard

You can influence this process by contacting your local TDs and urging them to prioritise investment in people with intellectual disabilities. Here’s how you can take action:

– Identify Your TDs: Find your local representatives and their contact information, including email addresses.

– Write to Your TDs: We’ve created a template to help you draft your message. You can access it here.

– Share Your Story: Personalise your email or letter by sharing your own experiences. Explain why you believe Budget 2026 must include dedicated funding to improve the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

For your voice to be heard before the final decisions are made, please send your email or letter by Thursday, September 25, 2025.

You will find an Easy to Read Email Campaign Guide here.

We have also created a guidance document for families and supporters to support someone to contact their TD, you can read that here.

Need Help?
If you have any questions or require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@inclusionireland.ie.

You can view Inclusion Ireland’s Budget Submission2026 – 1000 Voices – here. 

A new report from Inclusion Ireland released today finds that the process of the Farrelly Commission of Investigation into the “Grace” case was “largely inaccessible” and failed to uphold the rights of disabled people to justice and participation. Based on a targeted survey of senior stakeholders, the report reveals a deep-seated disillusionment with a process described as disempowering, and “structurally resistant to inclusive practices.”

The report, titled ‘The Right to Justice and Participation: Lessons from the Farrelly Commission,’ argues that the inquiry’s design reproduced the very power imbalances it was meant to address, effectively excluding nonspeaking people and those with intellectual disabilities. Participants noted a critical failure to provide essential communication supports, such as intermediaries, and a lack of accessible formats for the final report.

“I welcome Inclusion Ireland’s report and strongly agree with its core findings regarding the flawed processes of the Farrelly Commission of Investigation into the ‘Grace’ case. From the outset the design and approach of the Commission sidelined and devalued many of those most affected by the issues it was considering. Many victims, survivors and family members also found the process of publication of the final Grace Report – with no advance notice to them – deeply distressing and retraumatising, after waiting for almost a decade. Today’s report is a call to action: change is needed urgently, and processes in future must be survivor-informed and truly inclusive.” – Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Human Rights Lawyer and Special Rapporteur on Child Protection.

According to the findings, the report’s publication was particularly mishandled, with survivors and family members receiving no advance notice or briefings, which caused significant distress and undermined trust.

“Those affected remain without answers and have been left more wounded from the Commission. They have carried this pain for 30 years and continue to do so… [this is] not acceptable. We need as a country to do better in honouring the rights of all Irish citizens.” – Family member

In response to these systemic failures, Inclusion Ireland is calling for a complete overhaul of how Ireland designs and delivers public inquiries involving disabled people. The report outlines specific legislative and non-legislative reforms, including:

– A new statutory duty requiring inquiries to provide supported decision-making and communication supports.

– Mandatory co-design of inquiry terms of reference with survivors and Disabled Persons Organisations.

– Legal guarantees for accessible and trauma-informed publication of all reports.

– The establishment of an independent, human rights oversight board for each inquiry.

– Development of an alternative legislative mechanism for survivor-led inquiries outside of the current framework.

The report also emphasises the need to pass adult safeguarding legislation in tandem with legislation that guarantees the right to independent living, asserting that “true safeguarding is realised within communities, not institutions.”

CEO of Inclusion Ireland, Derval McDonagh states “This report is about documenting carefully the hard lessons learned from the Farrelly Commission. If we do not reckon with our past, we cannot hope for a different future. The feedback to the state is constructive, insightful and paints a clear picture of what needs to change in future inquiries, so that the voice of the person most affected is heard the loudest. It is beyond time we shook off our institutionalised past and stepped into a future where each person’s human right to access justice is respected and upheld”.

ENDS

Notes:

The right to justice and participation: Lessons from the Farrelly Commission – Read the full report here.

The right to justice and participation: Lessons from the Farrelly Commission – Easy to read version here.

Participants:

Suzy Byrne – Disability Rights Campaigner

Patricia Carey – Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse

Dr Aoife Gallagher – Associate Professor, School of Allied Health, University of Limerick

Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC – Human Rights Lawyer and Special Rapporteur on Child Protection

Dr Caroline Jagoe – Associate Professor of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, School of Linguistic, Speech, and Communication Sciences, Trinity College Dublin

Derval McDonagh – Chief Executive Officer, Inclusion Ireland

Dr Claire McGettrick (Born Lorraine Hughes) – Adoption Scholar and Advocate, Clann Project Co-Director

Dr Katherine O’Donnell – Professor of the History of Ideas, School of Philosophy, University College Dublin

Molly O’Keeffe – Family Member

Dr Charles O’Mahony – Associate Professor, School of Law, University of Galway

Dr Maeve O’Rourke – Senior Lecturer in Human Rights, School of Law and Irish Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway

Dr Sinéad Ring – Associate Professor in Law, School of Law, Maynooth University

For more information please contact:

Caoimhe Suipéil, Head of Communications, Inclusion Ireland

Email: caoimhe@inclusionireland.ie

Phone: 086-2265813

My name is Paul Alford and I am a Self-Advocacy Project Worker at Inclusion Ireland. I am so proud to have worked for Inclusion Ireland for the last 20 years. When I was growing up in an institution, I never imagined that I’d be able to live independently and have a job.

I was involved in disability advocacy for a long time before I was offered a job with Inclusion Ireland. When I first started working for Inclusion Ireland, I couldn’t read or write. I didn’t know how to do the work. But Inclusion Ireland supported me.

I went on courses to learn how to read and write. I worked hard. When I finished, I got certificates. They’re still hanging on my wall today, and I’m very proud of them.

My colleagues also showed me how to use a computer. It was difficult at first but I kept trying. After learning those new skills, I was able to do my work here.

My favorite days at work are days when I get to give presentations to different groups and organisations. My talks are about my experience, disabled people’s rights, and independent living.

It was important for me to tell my story about how I was treated in boarding schools, and then in the institution. I hope people learn from me and my experiences.

I want to keep working for Inclusion Ireland until I retire. I want to keep giving talks and sharing my story. I want other people with intellectual disabilities to know they can live the lives they want. They can leave institutions, get their own place, find a job, and speak up for themselves.

I love my job because I know we are doing good, important work.

The best thing about Inclusion Ireland is the staff. They’re helpful, they’re nice, and they give the right support. I’ve learned a lot here. We are working together to change Ireland.

Inclusion Ireland today launched its Pre-Budget Submission 2026, “1,000 Voices, One Message: Invest in Our Rights,” calling on the Irish Government to deliver long-term, ambitious change for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The submission, informed by over 1,000 direct voices from across Ireland, highlights persistent and critical gaps in education, health, housing, and the cost of disability.

“For too long, the voices of people with intellectual disabilities and their families have been ignored,” stated Derval McDonagh, CEO of Inclusion Ireland. “Our ‘1,000 Voices’ initiative, born from extensive surveys conducted in June 2025, provides an undeniable evidence base rooted in lived experiences. The message is clear: it’s time to listen, and it’s time for change.”

The comprehensive surveys captured the experiences of adults with intellectual disabilities, families supporting children with intellectual disabilities and families and supporters of adults with intellectual disabilities. Key findings reveal a stark picture of unmet needs:

78% of people surveyed don’t believe that the Government listens to their voices in decisions made about the Budget.

Financial Strain: A staggering 66% of adults with an intellectual disability reported that their current social welfare supports do not meet their needs. Nearly 80% of families and supporters across both child and adult groups confirmed that private spending on therapies, transport, or basic supports significantly impacts their household budget.

Housing Crisis: Over half (53%) of adults with an intellectual disability ranked “getting a home of my own” as a top concern. Yet, only 10% had a solid plan to move out, and 44% wanted to leave the family home but lacked crucial support. More than half found the housing application process “very difficult.”

Early Intervention Failures: One in four families reported that their child received no early intervention, with long waiting lists and delays in access to essential therapies being commonplace.

Information and Planning Gaps: 40% of families and supporters had never heard of personalised budgets, limiting access to flexible, person-led support models. Only 10% of families had a future housing or support plan in place for their loved ones, highlighting profound anxiety for the future of their loved ones.

“Our community is not looking for short-term fixes; we demand long-term thinking and ambition from our leaders,” McDonagh added. “Children and their families need meaningful support in the early years. Adults with disabilities deserve the same rights as every other citizen: to live a dignified life as part of the community.”

The submission emphasises that the findings underscore significant gaps between lived reality and the State’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). It calls for urgent action to deliver on commitments outlined in the Programme for Government, the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024–2026, and the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022–2027.

Inclusion Ireland’s Key Asks for Budget 2026 include:

• Increasing core disability payments above the poverty threshold and introducing a minimum €50 Cost of Disability payment.
• Significant investment in Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) to ensure timely access to therapies and support.
• Expanding access to supported living schemes and home adaptation grants.
• Investing in regional and online disability information hubs.
• Addressing means-test anomalies that disincentives financial independence.

“Our vision is an inclusive Ireland where people with an intellectual disability are supported to live and participate as equal members within the community,” said McDonagh. “The only way to truly value our community and to address the very real human rights issues facing people in every county in Ireland is to listen to these 1,000 voices. They are looking for hope, for recognition, and for real and meaningful support from Government in Budget 2026.”

Inclusion Ireland Budget Submission 2026: http://www.inclusionireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Inclusion-Ireland-Budget-Submission-2026-2-compressed.pdf

Inclusion Ireland Easy to Read Budget Submission 2026: http://www.inclusionireland.ie/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Inclusion-Ireland-Budget-Submission-Easy-to-read.pdf

ENDS

Contact: 

For more information please contact:

Caoimhe Suipéil, Head of Communications, Inclusion Ireland

Email: Caoimhe@inclusionireland.ie

Phone: 086-2265813

29th April 2025 

Inclusion Ireland has today issued a strong statement in response to the General Solicitor’s commentary on the final report of the Farrelly Commission into the ‘Grace’ foster home abuse. The disability advocacy organisation expressed deep concern and solidarity with Grace, a survivor of prolonged abuse and neglect. 

“We speak often of the re-traumatisation of survivors. Grace is one such survivor. What she endured and experienced over many years is absolutely devastating, having her voice ignored has compounded that trauma unimaginably. The General Solicitor’s statement tells us clearly that Grace’s voice has been silenced by the Commission. She was silenced for 20 years in foster care and now she has been silenced yet again by the very process that should have supported her to access some semblance of justice.” Derval McDonagh, CEO , Inclusion Ireland 

The exclusion of “Grace’s” legal submissions from the Commission’s report is a deeply worrying development that must be addressed to ensure accountability and prevent similar failures in the future. 

Derval continued “Non-speaking people deserve the same access to justice as every other person living in this state. We demand a full investigation and a public statement on the rationale for this omission, the omission of Grace’s voice.”  

ENDS 

Contact:  

For more information please contact:  

Caoimhe Suipéil, Head of Communications, Inclusion Ireland  

Email: Caoimhe@inclusionireland.ie  

Phone: 086-2265813