Disability Federation of Ireland

A graphic of the island of Ireland showing the six HSE health regions: HSE West and North West; HSE Dublin and North East; HSE Dublin and Midlands; HSE Mid West; HSE Dublin and South East; HSE South East.

➡️The Department of Health is evaluating its Health Regions reform.

📢DFI members: your insights are needed!

Help shape the future of Health Regions by sharing your experience.

The survey is now open 👇
HSE Health Regions Evaluation: mazarsconsultancy.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...

A screenshot of Emer and Treasa appearing before the committee making their opening statement.

Last week, Director of Advocacy Emer Begley & Treasa McAuliffe CEO of St Gabriel's Foundation, appeared before the Oireachtas Disability Committee to consider the General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill 2025.

📹 Watch the opening statement here: www.oireachtas.ie/en/oireachta...

The Government of Ireland logo with an arrow pointing to the HSE logo.

That is why the recruitment of these roles alongside the significant uplift in funding for specialist disability services is so important - together they must strengthen the HSE’s capacity to ensure the additional funding is translated into positive impact on the ground.

However significant challenges remain - still too many people waiting for services, disabled people are not guaranteed the same level of service in all parts of the country & there is still progress to be made towards more person-centred & rights-based supports & services.

📢Yesterday, Norma Foley - Minister for Children, Disability & Equality - announced that the first dedicated National Director for Disability will be recruited in the HSE, as well as 6 new Regional Disability Leads in the health regions.

DFI was delighted to attend the launch of Donegal CIL’s Strategic Plan, including the premiere of My Life My Way, showcasing the power of choice, control and independent living through their Personal Assistance Service.
fb.watch/FFbvkRpu8h/

A graphic with a dark green background and white text. At the top it reads, 'Three Month Countdown to #MakeWayDay26 on Friday 29 May 2026'. In the center is the Make Way Day logo, featuring a hand with a wheelchair user symbol inside the palm next to the words 'Make Way Day.com'. Below the logo is the text: 'Make way on our streets for people with disabilities!', followed by the website 'www.makew

⏳ The countdown is on! We’re just 3 months away from #MakeWayDay 2026! 🗓️
 
We’re moving to a new date this year: 29 May.
 
We’re stepping into the sunshine for our brightest, and most impactful campaign yet.
 
Mark your calendars and stay tuned for resources and campaign packs.

17K views · 875 reactions | “I’m not afforded the same opportunities, access, or financial support to reach my full potential.” Jack Shannon Cole and Emma Ward joined #TodayDMC ahead of the protests this Saturday calling for a €400 emergency winter “I’m not afforded the same opportunities, access, or financial support to reach my full potential.” Jack Shannon Cole and Emma Ward joined #TodayDMC ahead of the protests this Saturday calling for a...

Jack Cole and Emma Ward speak ahead of the Emergency Disability Payment march in Dublin Saturday 28 February
February.https://www.facebook.com/reel/1496825492050515

A graphic announcing a National Protest on Saturday, February 28th at 1:00 PM. The text highlights the location: Garden of Remembrance, Dublin, marching to the Customs House. The main message calls for an Emergency Winter Payment for people with disabilities. Logos for the Disability Federation of Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association, and Access for All are visible at the bottom.

National protest led by DFI, Irish Wheelchair Association, and Access For All.

We're continuing to call for a €400 Emergency Winter Disability Payment. By removing "one-off" supports thousands are up to €1,400 worse off.

📍 Garden of Remembrance, Dublin 🕐 12.30 pm 📅 28 Feb

A group of approximately fifteen people stands and sits in front of Leinster House, a large stone building with numerous windows. Three individuals in the front are using wheelchairs, and one person is using a crutch. Several people are holding purple booklets titled "Emergency Winter Payment." One person holds a document with a table on it. The group is dressed in various winter coats and semi-f

Our January newsletter is here. We spotlighted:

🔸€400 Emergency Winter Payment campaign for disabled people
🔸Advocacy 2025
🔸Cost of Disability

Read the full newsletter here: rebrand.ly/jt7e5pv
Subscribe to our newsletter: tinyurl.com/mwmra6m5

The cover of the Department of Health "Waiting Time Action Plan 2026" document, featuring the official logos of the Government of Ireland, the HSE, and the National Treatment Purchase Fund.

The 'Waiting Time Action Plan 2026 has been published. While we welcome progress, it is disappointing that disability is not mentioned.

Without disability-proofing metrics, we risk leaving people behind.

Read the Action Plan: rebrand.ly/65psvqu

Promotional graphic for the Leadership Academy’s Executive MBA scholarship. The headline reads: "Scholarships for the Charity Sector." The text highlights a €30,000 scholarship for the Trinity Business School Executive MBA (part-time) starting this September. Logos for The Wheel, Trinity Business School, and The Ireland Funds are displayed at the bottom against a background of the Trinity College

Want to level up with an Executive MBA at Trinity College?

The Leadership Academy (The Wheel) is sharing a scholarship opportunity:

✅ €30k in fees covered
✅ For charity sector staff
✅ Starts this September.

Don't miss out! Apply here: rebrand.ly/gu2ikdt

Minister Dara Calleary referred to the "heat or eat" crisis as "misleading".

Michael has to decide if he can afford 1 bar or 2 on his heater. Does this sound like messaging, or a struggle for survival?

We need the Emergency Winter Payment.

Email your local TD: rebrand.ly/1y2sbwx

Thanks to ‪@social-democrats.bsky.social for their motion calling on an emergency winter payment of €400.

Get involved

Please email your local TDs and Senators today through IWA's easy-to-use tool here: www.iwa.ie/get-involved...

@disabilityfed.bsky.social

🚨We met Minister Emer Higgins regarding the #EmergencyWinterPayment. She committed to raise the issue with the Tánaiste and Cabinet. We are still waiting on a response from the Taoiseach following our letter this week. The campaign continues.

For more: rebrand.ly/mdjeh0b

Colleagues stand in front of a whiteboard covered in colourful sticky notes with words like "Planning," "People," and "Innovation," appearing to be in a brainstorming session.

Are you transforming disability support or organisational development?

Apply for EASPD Innovation Awards 2026!

Focus areas:

🔸 HR and Leadership
🔸Green/Digital Transition
🔸 Finance and Comms.

Showcase your work in Porto.

Apply by 1 Feb: rebrand.ly/pgs5kfq

Last month, we stood together to demand an Emergency Winter Payment. Today, we're taking it to Oireachtas members in a briefing hosted by the Social Democrats

Alongside the IWA and Access For All, we're addressing the emergency facing disabled people

For more: rebrand.ly/ugy3sri

A close-up of a person's open palm holding a small, miniature model of a two-story house against a plain, light grey background.

We're partnering with European colleagues to launch the EU-funded IN-HABIT project, working to ensure inclusive housing.
Join our launch webinar on 29 Jan. We'll be discussing the Irish National Housing Strategy & new EU solutions.

👉 Register: rebrand.ly/kkjca6q

A woman with blonde hair, wearing glasses and a red shawl, sits in a power wheelchair and looks up at Dermot Hayes standing before her. They are holding hands. Dermot wears a red beret, a red sweater, and uses crutches for support. In the background, there is a lit Christmas tree and a banner that partially reads "CLARE FORUM."

We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dermot Hayes. A tireless campaigner and founder of the Clare Leader Forum, Dermot was a giant of the movement and a fierce advocate for Independent Living.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Cover of the National Safeguarding Office Annual Report 2024 featuring the HSE logo and a stylised illustration of four adults standing together against a green background.

HSE's National Safeguarding Report shows a 7.5% rise in concerns and a 14% increase in elder abuse.

On 24 Feb, we're co-hosting a members-only briefing with HSE's Amanda Casey to discuss safeguarding.

Register: rebrand.ly/bdrjy4g
Read report: rebrand.ly/a2a050

DFI Welcomes €1m Investment in Assistive Technology We welcome the announcement by Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Norma Foley TD, of over €1 million in funding for digital and assistive technology, AT projects. &#82...

Huge congratulations to our members and colleagues at the Anne Sullivan Centre, Inclusion Ireland, Rehab Group who received funding as well as all the other fantastic organisations working to make Ireland a more inclusive place.

Read more: rebrand.ly/za27voa

Assistive Technology opens doors to education, employment, and independent living. This investment supports unmet needs and helps disabled people participate fully in society.

A profile view of a young man with short dark hair sitting at a desk, wearing a green and purple striped sweater. He has his eyes closed and rests his hand against a pair of over-ear headphones, appearing to listen intently. An open laptop sits in front of him, and a white cane leans against the wall in the background.

🧵Great news!

The Dept of Children, Disability and Equality has announced over €1m in funding for Assistive Technology projects under the HSE CREATE III programme.

We are delighted to receive funding for our CHAT, Community Hub for Assistive Tech, initiative in partnership with Enable Ireland.

A presenter stands between a Disability Federation of Ireland banner and a flipchart. The flipchart reads "Local Community Development Committee" with the acronym "LCDC" boxed in red. The presenter is holding a marker and gesturing towards the text on the chart.

Want to drive change in your community?

You need to know two drivers local policy and funding:

💠Public Participation Network
💠Local Community Development Committee

We've put together video tutorials to demystify the process.

Watch the tutorials: rebrand.ly/ddb9fc

A close-up, side-angle view of a person seated in a manual wheelchair with a purple frame. The person's hand is gripping the silver push rim of the wheel. They are outdoors on a paved surface, wearing a dark textured coat, with a blurred background showing trees and vehicles

Irish Times features DFI CEO Elaine Teague highlighting concerns about pension auto-enrolment for state-funded disability organisations.

Without additional funding, the impact could include staff reductions and cuts to disability services.

📖 Read more: rebrand.ly/6e66f9

Bernard Gloster, CEO of the HSE, speaking at a lectern during an event. He is wearing a dark suit and tie with an HSE lanyard, standing in front of an HSE-branded backdrop and gesturing as he speaks.

The HSE has released its new Public Health Strategy, setting out its vision the next five years.

From a disability perspective, the strategy focuses on:

💠Prevalence
💠Equity
💠Reducing disparity

📺 Watch the launch webinar here: rebrand.ly/9ph1n68

A large group of disabled people and supporters gather outside government buildings behind railings, many using wheelchairs and mobility aids. They hold green and blue placards reading “Choice, not charity,” “Heat or Eat,” and “Disabled by the State – Second Class Citizen,” as they pose together on at Leinster House during a public protest.

📢 DFI Dec Newsletter is here!

Inside:

💠Protest for Emergency Winter Payment
💠First Programme Plan of Action
💠Consultations and events locally, nationally an across Europe.

🎄 Merry Christmas from the DFI team!

Read: rebrand.ly/2r28qpg
Sub: rebrand.ly/5cx27ge

Six adults stand together smiling in an ornate room decorated with Christmas lights and greenery. They are positioned in front of a large screen that reads “Health Service Excellence Awards.” Gold chairs are arranged in rows around them, and warm lighting fills the space, creating a formal celebration setting.

🏆We are delighted that a co-design partnership involving DFI was Joint Winner in the “Improving Patient / Service User Experience” category at the HSE Health Excellence Awards.

This work has been powered by the voices of people who use services.

Thank you to everyone involved.

A large group of disabled people and supporters gather outside government buildings, many using wheelchairs and mobility devices. They hold protest signs reading “Choice, not charity,” “Heat or Eat,” and “Disabled by the State = Second-Class Citizen.” Several people have fists raised in solidarity. The group stands and sits closely together in front of black iron railings and stone pillars, united

A crowd of disabled activists braved the storm today to demand what Government has failed to deliver: basic financial security, dignity and rights. Voices were united in calling for an emergency winter payment for people with disabilities. Thank you to all who showed up.